Syrian antiquities sites in 2014

SCIENCE CODEX summarizes and links to a report by the American Association for the Advancement of Science: Widespread looting and damage to historical sites in Syria.

Four of six major archaeological sites in Syria have been heavily looted and damaged, according to an analysis of high-resolution satellite images that documents the extent of the destruction.

The report analyzes six of the 12 sites that Syria has nominated as World Heritage Sites: Dura Europos, Ebla, Hama's Waterwheels, Mari, Raqqa, and Ugarit.

Images from 2014 show numerous pits throughout three sites where ancient cities once stood. The pits generally do not appear in similar images from 2011, when the conflict in Syria began.

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Background here and here and links.