Heritage Destruction: An Overlooked Conflict Contributor
- Luke Hally
- Apr 8, 2024
- 1 min read
The report highlights the significant role of looted antiquities in funding armed groups, particularly in conflicts like those in the Middle East and Africa. Militant groups, including ISIS, fund their activities by plundering and selling artifacts, with estimates suggesting profits in the range of hundreds of millions of dollars. The destruction of heritage sites serves multiple purposes for these groups, including funding, cultural assault, and propaganda. Despite international efforts such as UN resolutions, policies to prevent the sale of looted artifacts remain ineffective. The sophistication of the trade, including online sales and auction houses, poses challenges to regulation, necessitating up top date and more stringent regulation as recommended in this report. Preserving heritage sites not only safeguards cultural identity but also plays a crucial role in conflict prevention. Archaeologists like Joanne Farchakh Bajjaly and Khaled al-Asaad have exemplified efforts to protect cultural heritage in the face of violence.
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