| Popis: |
This chapter is a lament on the tremendous material and human losses from war in Syria. Palmyra and the Old City of Aleppo are two disastrous examples. The sites of Mari, Ebla, and Emar have been looted, and archaeological investigations have ceased. All of this desecration deprives Syrians of knowledge about their identity. What are the underlying causes of this massive destruction of cultural heritage? One is the legalistic and alienating way the government preserved and presented antiquities, leaving people with little agency or understanding of their heritage. During the recent war, antiquities have been exploited by extremists for propaganda purposes to gain monetary and ideological support. At this critical juncture, it is important to educate Syrians about their heritage so that they will appreciate and protect it. Syrian school children currently have no such opportunity. History tells us, however, that Syria has the resources to recover and prosper again. |
