BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq

Subject: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: GUEST,Michael Morris
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 05:14 PM

Vandalism of archeological sites in Irag from the Guardian.

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 05:22 PM

You mean they weren't already all bombed to shit?!??!?!?!?

Shame on the Guardian for vandalizing!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 05:25 PM

Been going on since the Coalition troops invaded the country.

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 05:36 PM

They made a site of historic interest into a base camp, and dug trenches through the site, sheer philistinism.
G.

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 06:02 PM

Vandals...Philistines...

It's a bit unfair on those ancient peoples, really. Perhaps they should be given a rest when it comes to labelling this kind of behaviour. Maybe the the name of a certain more modern country could be used instead...

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: Barry Finn
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 06:29 PM

The Geneva Conventions set forth regulations that put the responsibilities for providing protection of museums & other sites of archaeological importance squarley upon the shoulders of the occuping forces. The US & their allied forces have never so far shown any attempt to protect anything. These are crimes that should be delt with in an international court & the US should be make accountable but I doubt that even a ripple will ever be seen.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: Amos
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 08:23 PM

That may be because Bush thinks archaeological interest is the study of techniques of seduction. Or maybe a bird of some kind.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 12:10 AM

That article you linked, Michael, makes my stomach turn.

It makes you realize how lawless and corrupt Iraq has become. The U.S. makes Saddam look like an angel.

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: ard mhacha
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 08:12 AM

The scum of the earth release their children on a civilised land, what can you expect.

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: 3refs
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 09:18 AM

I think if you check back on this, you'll find that a lot of the theft and vandalism occurred prior to, and during, the latest invasion. Not after.
Many of the museum artifacts had been stolen(or destroyed) prior to Iraq being an occupied country.

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 10:36 AM

3refs, you may have to be disqualified from posting here further. How can you bring historical memory to those engaged US bashing? Not allowed, not allowed.

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: Stu
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 10:41 AM

Unfortunately this sort of thing has been going on since the invasion. There's another article from the Guardian here printed in 2005 and pertaining to the destruction of the ancient city of Babylon when they decided to build an airbase on the site, which is of global importance.

It's interesting to note the outcry following the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamyan (Wikipedia article here though Google provides many links to editorials on this subject) by the Taliban, and the lack of outcry about the cultural destruction wrought by the US Military. I suspect that this is because whilst the American people do seem to regard their culture (quite rightly in some cases - not Disney though) as sacrosanct, they seem to the outside observer to have very little respect for anyone else's.

As for blaming the Iraqis, whilst they did undoubtably looted much themselves, had the invaders had a plan in place to guard the cultural treasures of Iraq then much of that debacle might have been avoided. American service personnel also vandalised and looted Baghdad Airport after it was secure - Time article here.

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 12:23 PM

I think if you check back 3refs you would actually find that very little indeed of this damage took place prior to the invasion and occupation.

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 12:32 PM

3refs, according to Colin Renfrew and other noted archaeologists who know Iraq well, the vandalism and looting is all postinvasion. Can you cite a reference for your contrary assertion, or are you simply making it up?

Subject: RE: BS: Vandalism of archaeological sites Iraq
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 02:29 PM

I believe Saddam did sponsor some rather ham-handed restoration work on the Babylon site. But I don't think his successors have gone in for subtle distinctions like that when americanising the site.