On May 21, 2015 the Islamic State overtook the forces of the Assad regime in the Syrian region of Homs. Among the territories, resources, weapons, and prisoners they captured in this advance was the U.N. World Heritage site of Palmyra, an ancient Roman city that hosted several ruins of monuments and a museum that collected and exhibited the site's material culture. In their efforts to reshape the countries of Iraq and Syria into a fundamentalist caliphate, the Islamic State has been destroying any and all cultural heritage they deem as blasphemous. Thus the site was a known target in their war and UNESCO, the Assad regime, along with the Russian interventionist campaign all shared uneasy common ground in their desire to safeguard Palmyra from them.
This valiant effort eventually failed, and ISIS sweep through the ruins to demolish what deemed unworthy to exist.
This valiant effort eventually failed, and ISIS sweep through the ruins to demolish what deemed unworthy to exist.
What They Destroyed
Below is a gallery of photos taken once the forces of the Assad regime retook the city in 2016. Photos includes monuments like the Temple of Bel along with the nearby Palmyra museum.
Palmyra was eventually retaken with the aid of the Russian military, a fact that the country was keen to remind the world of. Shortly after UNESCO deemed the site's cultural integrity intact, the Russians "celebrated" this with an orchestra concert in the Roman amphitheater which was undamaged by ISIS because of its convenient use as an execution ground.
However, this was a short lived celebration that perhaps ensured the amphitheater's eventual destruction. As ISIS launched a counterattack on Palmyra by December of 2016 and retook the ruins once more. They targeted the amphitheater.
The site has been once more retaken by the Assad regime as of March 3, 2017. UNESCO for its part has been vocal about condemning the intentional destruction of their site and calling for renewed effort to preserve Syrian heritage
However, its clear that UNESCO was fairly powerless through both of ISIS' occupations of the site. Despite inspiring actions by the UN Security Council in adopting Resolution 2199, these actions have shown in the past to be relatively meaningless in preventing cultural destruction. For example UNESCO passed the Second Protocol, which was an amendment passed in 1999 to their 1954 Hague Convention which outlined steps in which states engaged in warfare can avoid destroying cultural heritage. This amendment officially terms "Enhanced Protection" units as a means to protecting sites theoretically like Palmyra from intentional destruction. UN Peacekeepers would be utilized in this role but the hosting country has to give permission for this action to be taken. The Assad regime did not presumably ask for such Enhanced Protection, instead relying on their forces in the area to do so. UNESCO, despite being stationed in Palmyra during the years the Syrian Civil War was being fought, did not manage to negotiate with the Assad regime or make concrete evacuation plans in advance of the ISIS assault (which was slow and foreseeable) is pitiable and troubling.
The international reaction to Palmyra's cultural destruction has been productive however. From December 2-3, 2016 France and the United Arab Emirates hosted the Safeguarding Cultural Heritage conference to debate what can be done to prevent what has occurred in Palmyra along with similar incidences in North Africa.
“Heritage, in all its diversity, is a source of collective wealth and encourages dialogue. It is a vehicle for closer relations, tolerance and freedom. In an armed conflict situation, heritage is particularly at risk, owing to its inherent vulnerability and tremendous symbolic value. It is encouraging to see so many of us converge and collaborate today to develop tangible goals to safeguard this heritage.” - Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
The ultimate results of such international conferences and resolutions, have yet to be seen but at the very least the problem is being actively discussed.
Through the Arch of Triumph's destruction however, an interesting development has occurred. UNESCO in partnership with the Institute of Digital Archeology have replicated the Arch of Triumph through digital photos and 3D printing. The replicated monument is 2/3 the size of the original but is made from the same Egyptian marble used in the original.
The work done and exhibited in London and New York brings with it the hope that Palmyra can be restored partially through this emerging digital technology. While the Temple of Bel and the Temple of Baal are still in doubt, the Arch of Triumph at least can undergo a process known as Anastylosis which uses the same material of the monument to replace and connect to the original monument. Effectively rebuilding the monument to its former glory. The replication of the Arch of Triumph is a test case for such a prospect that could occur once the Syrian Civil War concludes.
Palmyra through its cultural destruction by ISIS has become a rallying cry for international community to openly discuss the importance of preserving cultural heritage during troubling times. Yet should UNESCO seek to utilize 3D printing in restoring what ISIS demolished, then the site of Palmyra will become a watershed moment to what would surely be a revolutionary movement in historical preservation. The act of 3D printing material culture for sites like Palmyra will challenge our views on whether we are helping to preserve and educate future generations of past cultures or if we are simply imposing our technological arrogance upon the works of our ancestors.
Time will tell.
Palmyra through its cultural destruction by ISIS has become a rallying cry for international community to openly discuss the importance of preserving cultural heritage during troubling times. Yet should UNESCO seek to utilize 3D printing in restoring what ISIS demolished, then the site of Palmyra will become a watershed moment to what would surely be a revolutionary movement in historical preservation. The act of 3D printing material culture for sites like Palmyra will challenge our views on whether we are helping to preserve and educate future generations of past cultures or if we are simply imposing our technological arrogance upon the works of our ancestors.
Time will tell.