“It’s not only Iraq’s heritage: it’s the whole world’s. It’s human heritage,” Iraqi archaeologist Lamia al-Gailani told Reuters about ISIS’s destruction of Assyrian Empire artifacts in Mosul.“They are priceless, unique. It’s unbelievable.” The damage to Iraq’s heritage – with some objects dating back to the seventh century BC – was described as an attempt “to destroy the identity of an entire people.” If beheadings and burnings were not enough, now they cleanse the world or history – in the name of Allah. When will this madness end.
The Assyrian Empire was one of the most powerful states of antiquity which rose around 2500 BC. There is irony in this. The Assyrians – were themselves “one of the most warlike people in history, lovers of the violence of the war and hunt”. It seems humanity is caught in an endless violent cycle. What goes around comes around – I suppose. And as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow – the same will happen to the ISIS gang.
Unfortunately, the West and it’s allies supported the creation of ISIS. One wonders who instructed these artifacts be destroyed in the first place.
Let us not forget though. We don’t only use sledge hammers, the West and other nations are happy to use precision missiles and bombs to great effect without much consideration for history.
Dresden WW2
Gaza 2014
We can be ‘horrified‘ by the sledging of our ancient past and cultural psyche – but I believe the big challenge for mankind and its present batch of leaders is to understand that we are destroying the very home we exist on. In corporate sledging, we are busy poisoning the water, the oceans, the soil and the air – and mostly for profit.
Fracking – Setting alight the source of all life – WATER.
Dalia, the photo of the artifact wreckers. Who provided the photo? Looks like it’s in a museum. Camera set at angle to capture those men? Or do they themselves provide it as a boast?