Description
Book SynopsisAn important study of the treatment of cultural property, and cultural heritage in general, in modern theatres of conflict. Winner of the 2011 James R. Wiseman Book Award. Discussion of the issues surrounding the destruction of cultural property in times of conflict has become a key issue for debate around the world. This book provides an historical statement as of 1st March 2006 concerning the destruction of the cultural heritage in Iraq. In a series of chapters it outlines the personal stories of a number of individuals who were - and in most cases continue to be -involved. These individuals are involved at all levels, and come from various points along the political spectrum, giving a rounded and balanced perspective so easily lost in single authored reports. It also provides the first views written by Iraqis on the situation of archaeology in Iraq under Saddam and an overview and contextualisation of the issues surrounding the looting, theft and destruction of the archaeological sites, the Iraqi National museum and the libraries in Baghdad since the war was launched in 2003. Beyond this, it examines our attitudes towards the preservation of cultural and heritage resources and, in particular, the growing political awareness of their importance. Although related to a single conflict, taking place at a specific time in history, the relevance of this work goes far beyond these self-imposed boundaries. PETER STONE is Professor of Heritage Studies and Head of School of Arts and Cultures at Newcastle University; JOANNE FARCHAKH BAJJALY is a Lebanese archaeologist and Middle East correspondent for the French magazine Archéologia.
Trade ReviewThis book is a must-read for any archaeologist concerned with the many faces of the destruction of cultural heritage, not only in Iraq. [...] The multimodality of this volume, including many different backgrounds and connections to Iraq, serves not only as a sad document of the destruction of Iraq's heritage, but also as a warning of the consequences of the failure to consider cultural heritage in military planning. * JOURNAL OF FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY *
This volume can be warmly recommended to anyone interested in the sordid tale of Iraq's rape in the wake of the latest, and almost certainly not the last, Gulf War. * AUSTRALIAN ARCHAEOLOGY *
An extraordinary achievement that will stand as the definitive account of the desperate, avoidable cultural tragedy of Iraq for many years to come. * THES *
This book is mandatory reading for anybody who expresses an opinion about archaeologists and the invasion of Iraq. * BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY *
