Syria (Other Keyword)
1-6 (6 Records)
How are we to respond to the current intentional destruction of heritage occurring in Syria and Iraq? The international regime of heritage protection rests upon the consensus of actors within the modern system of nation-states. But in the present crisis, one actor, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, rejects that system. Furthermore, in the case of Syria, UNESCO and other international preservation organizations find themselves locked into a structural situation where they are obliged to...
High-resolution satellite imagery for comprehensive monitoring of cultural heritage in conflict: Syria and Iraq methodology (2015)
The growing availability of high-resolution commercial satellite imagery provides unprecedented capabilities for monitoring events in conflict zones- areas that are often inaccessible through traditional methods. This capability is particularly needed when conflict creates long-term inaccessibility and multiple actors overlap in space and time, leading to conflicting accounts, and incomplete or inaccurate information. Proactive monitoring of cultural heritage sites, coupled with time-series...
Intentional destruction of cultural heritage: Evidence in Syria and Iraq (2015)
The current conflict in Syria and Iraq serves as a dramatic case study of intentional damage to cultural heritage during conflict. This paper details examples of damage that can be detected using high-resolution satellite imagery in coordination with local ground documentation and verified media reports. These examples are part of the analysis done by the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) Geospatial Technologies Project "Developing a Research Community and Capacity for...
Processes of Immigration and Adaptation in Late Chalcolithic Northeastern Syria (2015)
An incursion of immigrants into the Khabur River drainage of northeastern Syria exemplifies a set of historical processes that are sometimes suspected, but often discounted as unrealistic or unprovable. The principal processes are (1) emigration from a homeland and immigration into a new land, (2) selective transmission of culture traits to a new locale, (3) divergent adaptation, (4) assimilation of new traits, and (5) formation of a new cultural tradition. These processes are exemplified by...
Protecting cultural heritage by promoting community welfare in the Syrian conflict (2016)
The recent conflict in Syria and Iraq has upended all aspects of aspects of daily life. There are now over 250,000 dead, and millions have been displaced. Famous heritage sites embedded within the region’s cultural landscape have been damaged or destroyed. In the face of such human tragedy, what can archaeologists do? This paper discusses the efforts of the Safeguarding the Heritage of Syria and Iraq (SHOSI) Project, which are aimed at both alleviating human suffering and protecting heritage...
The Syrian heritage task force and the importance of preserving Syria's cultural heritage (2015)
Currently many of Syria’s famous heritage sites are in territory outside of the control of the Assad regime and are at great risk from looting, damage as a result of conflict, or deliberate attack. This is not only causing irreparable damage to Syria's cultural heritage but also destroying the common history that provides Syrians with a shared sense of identity. In order to help protect this heritage and preserve it for the future, a Syrian Heritage Task Force (SHTF) was recently established....