Syrian Ancient Artifacts Stolen are Surface on Facebook Marketplace for Sale
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In the heart of the Fertile Crescent, where some of the first known civilizations began, lies the ancient city of Palmyra. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Palmyra boasts countless invaluable artifacts such as statues and mosaics, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. However, the city's archaeological legacy is under threat, with looting and trafficking of antiquities persisting despite efforts to protect it.
Recent reports indicate that Facebook Marketplace has emerged as a hub for the sale of looted antiquities, despite the platform banning the sale of historical artifacts in 2020. Looted items, including funerary gold and artifacts from graves more than 2,000 years old, are being sold alongside ordinary items on the platform. Enforcement of bans on trading historical artifacts remains difficult, especially as online platforms allow for rapid and less-regulated sales.
The illicit sale of antiquities, including Syrian and those from the wider Middle East region like Iraq, can exacerbate looting. Academic sources note that rising demand and sales on legitimized or semi-legitimized markets can increase looting incentives by raising artifact prices, indirectly funding militant groups like Daesh. This creates a complex moral and security dilemma: selling artifacts may enable preservation of some items, but often stimulates further looting and conflict funding.
Efforts to safeguard artifacts through NGO-led rescue operations have been partially successful but contrast with ongoing illicit sales. For instance, 7,400 objects stored in Rmelan, northeast Syria, have been protected from destruction amid conflict and looting. However, the looting and trafficking in Palmyra have surged following the overthrow of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad by rebels in December.
The Syrian government has tried to combat looting by threatening jail sentences of up to 15 years and offering finder's fees for turned-in artifacts. However, their efforts have been limited due to resource constraints. Amr al-Azm, a professor at Shawnee State University, stated that there was a breakdown of any constraints on looting that existed during the regime periods. The looting, along with widespread poverty affecting 90 percent of Syria's population, puts the country's cultural heritage in danger of being lost and destroyed.
The fall of the Assad regime in December 2020 led to a significant increase in looting of ancient artifacts in Syria. The government's focus has been more on rebuilding following the recent political fracture, rather than on protecting archaeological heritage. This has left a gap that looters and traffickers are quick to exploit.
A new European regulation aims to combat illicit trade by mandating the registration of all cultural property in an international electronic database to facilitate traceability and information sharing among EU states. However, challenges remain, including a lack of administrative infrastructure and personnel needed to implement these measures effectively.
In summation, the rapid sale of looted heritage online, such as on Facebook Marketplace, complicates enforcement of bans and protects Syria’s archaeological legacy. The illicit artifact trade fuels looting and may indirectly fund terrorism, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement and public awareness. Efforts to protect Syria's cultural heritage must be strengthened to preserve this invaluable part of human history.
References:
- The Art Newspaper
- The Guardian
- The Art Newspaper
- Euronews
- The illicit sale of ancient artifacts, including Syrian pieces, on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace contributes to political discussions about policy-and-legislation regarding the protection of cultural heritage.
- Despite efforts to combat looting and trafficking of antiquities, the general-news highlights concerns that the rapid sale of artifacts online, such as on Facebook Marketplace, fuels politics surrounding the preservation of Syria's archaeological legacy.
