Imagery of Archaeological Site Looting
United States State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
These
satellite images document the scale of destruction that looters
continue to inflict on archaeological heritage sites during the ongoing
conflict in Syria. Looting at archaeological sites destroys
irreplaceable evidence of life and society in the ancient world. In the
case of Syria, this evidence has helped researchers understand important
historical developments such as the beginnings of agriculture and
cities, the rise and fall of empires, and the development and spread of
Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Syria’s rich archaeological corpus
includes several ancient settlements on the UNESCO World Heritage List and Tentative List and many others that help us understand the mosaic of human history.
Dura Europos
This unique Classical-period site, founded in the 3rd century BC and
occupied until the 3rd century AD, demonstrates the diversity of the
ancient Middle East. One of the world’s earliest churches was discovered
here, as was one of the oldest preserved synagogues and numerous
temples devoted to polytheistic deities. This important site of
approximately 150 acres (60 hectares) is now covered by looters’ pits.
28 June 2012
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02 April 2014
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Mari
Mari was an important city in the Early and Middle Bronze Ages (ca.
3000-1600 BC). Excavations have recovered cuneiform archives as well as
the remains of the famous “palace of Zimri-lim,” which was destroyed by
Hammurabi of Babylon in the mid-18th century BC. Looters here have sunk
several pits in the area of Zimri-lim’s palace and at other places in
the city center.
07 September 2012
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25 March 2014
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Tell Sheikh Hamad
In the late 2nd millennium BC (beginning around 1350 BC), this site
served as the regional capital of Assyria’s western provinces; in the
1st millennium BC, it was an important administrative center in the
Assyrian empire. Looting here has focused on the citadel area, as well
as parts of the lower town.
01 March 2011
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03 March 2014
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