Wednesday, April 08, 2015

Archaeologists defy ISIS

THAT'S THE SPIRIT! Archaeologists defy Isis militants by finding new antiquities in Iraq (Kath Paddison, Phys.org).
The team [excavating Tell Khaiber], directed by Professor Stuart Campbell, Dr Jane Moon and Dr Robert Killick from Manchester, described their Iraqi colleagues as resourceful, innovative and resilient, even when times were bad.

"Everyone is quite rightly expressing outrage at the destruction in and around Mosul. The sad fact is, there is very little one can do to prevent deliberate vandalism by well-armed fanatics.

"But if the militants think they can 'erase history' we are helping to make sure that can't happen: it is the information that is important and not the objects. Our project is actually doing something positive for the Iraqis, and that is appreciated," Dr Moon said.
More power to them.

Background on ISIS's assault on the past is here, here, here, here and links