Museum of Looted Antiquities

A new online Museum of Looted Antiquities documents repatriated objects, aiming to expose smuggling networks and create a repository of returned cultural artefacts https://ow.ly/wkl850Tp0Au

Last night the Getty Research Institute hosted Professor Heghnar Watenpaugh for the annual Gaehtgens lecture. She spoke to a captivated audience and a full auditorium. She emphasized the need for dialogue between communities and the cultural institutions that hold their sacred objects. These works - such as the stunning Canon tables of the Zeytun Gospels - serve as powerful icons of survival amidst devastating loss. Thank you Heghnar for your moving lecture. And many thanks to Beth Morrison for offering viewings of these works behind the scenes.

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Research Fellow at University of Adelaide!

Our Cultural Heritage Team recently visited liberated areas in Hama to assess the state of key cultural heritage sites after years of conflict. This effort is part of a broader initiative to protect archaeological landmarks and museums in newly secured regions. we visited: - Apamea Museum: Despite damage to the building and artifacts, the museum remains protected, thanks to local community efforts. However, urgent cleaning of mosaic panels and structural repairs are needed. - Ancient City of Apamea: Illegal excavations and structural damage, including collapses along the iconic colonnaded street, were observed. The team will expand its efforts to other heritage sites in the Dead Cities region and northern Aleppo, with parallel teams working across Raqqa, Deir Ezzor, Daraa, and Damascus. Safeguarding Syria’s cultural heritage remains our top priority. #CulturalHeritage #Preservation #Apamea #HeritageInCrisis #FreeSyria #Syria

My latest article with my two Thai colleagues Tanongsak and Lalita Hanwong on looting and restitution in Northeast Thailand has just been published in the International Journal of Cultural Property and is available open access 😉

Yesterday, at Qatar University, I add the pleasure to attend the PhD thesis defense of my friend and colleague (in AtharProject) Lakshmi Venugopal Menon on illict trade and trafficking of cultural properties, under the supervision of Dr Amr Al-Azm. Dr. Lakshmi you did a great work ... congratulations.

The Status of Museums and Archaeological Sites in Syria Following the Collapse of the Assad Regime and the Syrian Revolution's Victory 09-12-2024   The Syrian people, particularly the revolutionaries, have demonstrated remarkable awareness of the importance of Syria's cultural heritage, which belongs to all its people. However, some incidents of trespassing, theft, and even attempted arson have been noted.  This report provides an overview of the current status of Syria's artifacts, archaeological sites, and museums. In coordination with various parties within and outside Syria, efforts are underway to collect more information, which will be shared later.    Damascus : - National Museum of Damascus:  The largest museum in Syria is currently secure despite attempted break-ins from the parking garage beneath the museum, which caused minor fires that were promptly controlled thanks to the efforts of guards and staff. Military operations personnel are now stationed at the museum, ensuring its protection. Citizens are allowed access to the museum garden and its open-air displays.   - Damages: Theft of vehicles belonging to the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums, and structural damage due to the parking garage fire.    - Museum of Popular Traditions (Azm Palace):  There are reports of thefts at Azm Palace, though they remain unverified and are under investigation.   Most of the heritage buildings in Old Damascus are in good condition and remain protected.    Deir ez-Zor : This is the most challenging situation reported so far. Accounts of looting and arson have surfaced from areas surrounding the National Museum. However, the museum itself is currently well-secured, with no breaches reported.    Tartus : - Several attacks on administrative and governmental institutions have occurred:   - The Tartus Antiquities Department building was stormed, its doors were broken, and its contents and equipment were stolen.   - The museum building remains secure and is under guard.   - Arwad Island Castle Museum: The museum was stormed, and its contents and equipment were looted.   - Marqab Castle: The visitor center was stormed, safes were broken, and artifacts and other items in the offices and warehouses were looted.    Aleppo : The museum and most traditional old houses are entirely safe. An assessment of archaeological sites across the governorate is ongoing, with information from Manbij still awaited.    Idlib, Hama, Homs and Suwayda :  National museums in these cities, including the Maarrat al-Numan Mosaic Museum, and Shahba, are secure and under strict guard. Photography inside the museums is prohibited. Detailed reports on the condition of archaeological sites in the "Dead Cities" are forthcoming.    Latakia, Daraa, and Quneitra :  Information gathering is ongoing. The situation is particularly complex in southern Syria due to the involvement of the Israeli occupation army. #Syria #CulturalHeritage #Syria_Museums #Free_Syria #Heritage_Roots