WEEKLY REPORT 34
March 30, 2015
U. S. Dept. Cooperation Agreement Number: NEA-PSHSS-14-001
BY Michael D. Danti, Scott Branting, Cheikhmous Ali, Tate Paulette, Allison Cuneo, Kathryn Franklin, and David Elitzer
DOWNLOAD: REPORT
* This report is based on research conducted by the “Safeguarding the Heritage of the Near East Initiative,” funded by the US Department of State. Monthly reports reflect reporting from a variety of sources and may contain unverified material. As such, they should be treated as preliminary and subject to change.
Executive Summary
During the reporting period, ASOR CHI Co-director Dr. Scott Branting and the ASOR CHI Geospatial Team and UNITAR-UNOSAT completed initial analyses of high-resolution satellite imagery from early March showing the Northwest Palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) in Iraq. These two independent analyses found evidence for likely intentional destruction at the north end of the Northwest Palace (see image below), presumably by ISIL militants, but this remains to be confirmed.
In the satellite imagery, ASOR CHI and UNITAR-UNOSAT note evidence for damage to the standing architecture of the Northwest Palace and the probable intentional destruction of architectural relief sculpture at the site. Two debris fields visible at the north end of the palace may indicate the removal of sculptures from inside the palace for performative deliberate destruction (presumably for an ISIL video). Tire tracks left by heavy machinery are visible inside the main entrance to the throne room, and the lintel of the entrance leading through the modern curtain wall to the throne room has been destroyed, probably by heavy machinery. There is also concern that there could be additional damage, done by hand, below the shed roof that would not be visible in the satellite imagery.
In Syria, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ancient City of Bosra has been exposed to increased risk of combat damage following intense fighting in the area and the capture of Bosra by rebel forces. Rebel forces also captured the city of Idlib. The Islamist/Salafist group Ahrar ash-Sham (Harakat Ahrar ash-Sham al-Islamiyya, HASI) currently controls the Idlib Museum. There are varying/conflicting accounts regarding the security situation at the museum and the facility’s current on-site holdings, as well as unverified reports of unspecified parties attempting to enter the facility.
Key points from this report:
- Analyses of Digital Globe satellite imagery by ASOR CHI and UNITAR-UNOSAT reveal probable intentional destruction in the Northwest Palace at the site of Nimrud, Iraq. (pp. 53–85)
- The Idlib Museum in Syria is increasingly threatened by the recent capture of the city by rebel forces — the museum is currently under the control of the Islamist/Salafist group Ahrar ash-Sham.
- The capture of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ancient City of Bosra by rebel forces may place this site at heightened risk of destruction. Recent combat in the area has impacted the site. (pp. 13–41)
- The Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums recently released new information on looting at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ancient City of Palmyra. (pp. 42–52)