How Archaeologists Saved 30,000 Ancient Treasures From ISIS
The rescue effort moved nearly all of Syria’s museum collections to safety as ISIS advanced and wartime conditions made delay more dangerous.
- In 2014 and 2015, Maamoun Abdulkarim, head of the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums, led an operation to rescue approximately 30,000 artifacts from the Deir ez-Zor Museum as ISIS forces advanced on the Syrian city.
- The museum was connected to a military airport by a narrow, vulnerable corridor, rendering the mission 'exceptionally dangerous.' Abdulkarim prioritized protecting 'priceless' artifacts from Mesopotamian sites that war threatened to erase.
- A new study in Museum Management and Curatorship examines the operation as a case study. Abdulkarim writes that timing is often the 'decisive factor' in rescue missions, warning that waiting for perfect conditions poses greater danger than acting under uncertainty.
- During his tenure until 2017, Abdulkarim oversaw the relocation of around 300,000 museum items to secure sites. These artifacts accounted for the overwhelming majority of Syria's museum collections, preserving thousands of years of human history.
- Abdulkarim emphasizes that artifacts embody the collective memory and identity of humanity, transcending national borders. He argues that institutional resilience and trust between colleagues remain the most valuable resources for protecting cultural heritage during armed conflict.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Archaeologists risked their lives to save 30,000 treasures from ISIS terrorists during the Syrian Civil War, new study shows
In a remarkable feat illustrating tenacity and dedication, Syrian archaeologists embarked on a dangerous mission in 2014-2015 to salvage around 30,000 artifacts from the Deir ez-Zor Museum amidst the intense conflict with ISIS. Led by Professor Maamoun Abdulkarim, the operation faced significant challenges yet underscored the urgency of preserving Syria's cultural heritage and collective memory, reinforcing the crucial role historical artifacts …
Archaeologists Risked Their Lives to Save 30,000 Treasures from ISIS Terrorists—New Study Shows How
A new study reveals how archaeologists risked their lives to save thousands of historic treasures from imminent destruction by Islamic State terrorists. They rescued around 30,000 “priceless” artifacts from the Deir ez-Zor Museum as the city faced imminent capture by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in 2014 and 2015. Deir ez-Zor is […]
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