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Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Iraq one of world's most endangered cultural sites
No surprise here, but the war torn nation of Iraq has made World Monuments Fund's list of 100 at-risk sites:
Looting and the inability to mobilize restoration efforts in the war-torn region have taken its toll on relics that date back 10,000 years and could be wiped away, fund organizers said.
Some 10,000 sites in Iraq alone have come under siege, most recently from looting after the 2003 U.S. occupation there.
Story here.
Many people don't realize that Iraq is perhaps one of the most important countries in our collective history. Within its borders lie the beginnings of civilization itself. I have read about archaeologists risking their lives to salvage what they can of the past and suppress the rampart looting that has plagued the country since the war began. Unfortunately, there is already quite a bit that has been lost but I feel there is still a bright future for research in Iraq once things calm down (relatively speaking). The recognition of Iraq as an endangered site can only help the cause of public awareness.
Update: BBC News has a good article on the nature of looting in Iraq, particularly at the National Museum.
Posted by Will at June 21, 2005 08:18 PM in In the News