Cause and Effect: Armed conflict in the Middle East and the impacts it has on its Cultural Sites
Outstanding Universal Value. Three worlds that when combined define a cultural, natural, or mixed site with significance that current and future generations, of all corners of the world, will benefit from for years to come. As they are for the world to enjoy, it is easy to assume that they are to be protected at all costs, however, in the Middle East these sites are in constant danger. Of the 33 countries that currently have World Heritage Sites (WHS) on the List of World Heritage in Danger, 6 of those countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Jerusalem, Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen) and 1 recognized state (Palestine), hail from the Middle East. From these countries and state, 18 sites are registered on the list (https://whc.unesco.org/en/danger/). Although danger manifests in different forms, for the purpose of this blog post, danger will be in reference to armed conflict. The two sites that will be discussed are the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan and the Ancient City of Aleppo in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Thoughts on the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
Inscribed in both the WHS List and the WHS Danger List simultaneously in 2003, the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley faced the dangers that armed conflict generate. This site, which was inscribed under the (i),(ii),(iii),(iv), and (vi) criteria, was home to two Buddha statues carved in the niches of the mountains, indicating Buddhist influence, and a stop in the ancient trade route known as the Silk Road (Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan). The Buddha statues withstood the test of time for approximately 1,500 years until March 2001, when under the orders of Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban began the destruction on both statues with explosives (Franconi and Lenzerini, 2003). The destruction of the Buddhist statues came as a huge shock to the internationally community and was referred to as cultural terrorism. Taliban leaders indicated that as the statues represented Buddhist religion and leanings and were considered to be idols which did not represent their religion of Islam.
Although the destruction of the Buddha statues was considered a cultural loss for Afghanistan, new discoveries were made and new opportunities were formed. In 2004, 50 new caves were discovered within the site and in 12 of those caves oil paintings were found. (World’s oldest paintings in Afghanistan). These oil paintings have been considered the oldest in the world as they where dated from the 7th century AD. In 2008, a new Buddha statue was discovered buried in the site having escape the destruction of the Taliban (AFP). Additionally, a 3D laser light hologram project was established. The projection serves as a holograph that is projected onto a niche where one of the Buddha statues once stood (International Business Times). The physical damage of the site was done, however the international community continues to rally behind the site to move it forward.
Thoughts on the Ancient City of Aleppo
Located in the Syrian Arab Republic, the Ancient City of Aleppo was inscribed as a WHS in 1989 under the (iii) and (iv) criteria. Home to trade routes since the 2nd millennium B.C., Aleppo was a crossroads of multi-cultures which influenced the architectural integrity of the city as well as the economy and social aspects (UNESCO Ancient City of Aleppo). However, this ancient city was inscribed into the WHS Danger List in 2013 and remains on this list. Beginning in 2011, armed conflict arose within the city and 7 years later the conflict remains.
A report commissioned by the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums was done in 2015 (State of Conservation). From this report it was established that between 2014 and 2015 heavy damage was done to the city. This included but not limited to the Great Umayyad Mosque, the Citadel, and Madrasa al-Adiliyya (State of Conservation). The report further explained that underground explosions, military occupation of buildings, looting, air strikes, and artillery fire have been the cause of most of the damage done to Aleppo. Further damage was done between April and May of 2016, however, since no access has been allowed in the city the damage report could not be assessed. Compared to the conflict in Afghanistan, the situation is still on going and UNESCO officials can not go into Aleppo to further establish the extent of damage the ancient city has sustained.
Conclusion
The damages that these two World Heritage Sites have sustained as a result of armed conflict is a loss for humanity. For The Ancient City of Aleppo and the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, these sites have thousands of years of history, culture, and influence that was and continues to be destroyed.
References
“3,000-year-old Artefacts Destroyed in Iraq and Nimrud & Hatra Destroyed as Well.” Historical Bites. July 04, 2015. Accessed April 22, 2018. https://historicalbites.wordpress.com/2015/07/11/3000-year-old-artefacts-destroyed-in-iraq/.
“Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan.” Endangered Sites. Accessed April 22, 2018. http://endangeredsites.leadr.msu.edu/bamiyan-valley-afghanistan/.
Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “List of World Heritage in Danger.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre — List of World Heritage in Danger. Accessed April 22, 2018. https://whc.unesco.org/en/danger/.
Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “Ancient City of Aleppo.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Accessed April 22, 2018. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/21.
Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “State of Conservation.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre — State of Conservation (SOC 2016) Ancient City of Aleppo (Syrian Arab Republic). Accessed April 23, 2018. https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/3345.
Francioni, Francesco, and Federico Lenzerini. 2003. “The Destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan and International Law.” European Journal Of International Law 14, no. 4: 619–651. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed April 22, 2018).
