Ancient Cities Fall to ISIS

Ancient Cities Fall to ISIS

The terrorist group bulldozes important archaeological sites in Iraq

By Jennifer Marino Walters

Since its invasion of Iraq and Syria, the terrorist group ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) has killed many people and forced thousands from their homes. Over the past few weeks, the group has also begun to wreak havoc in these countries in a different way—by destroying cherished cultural and historical sites.

First, ISIS militants used sledgehammers to smash centuries-old stone sculptures and artifacts at Iraq’s Mosul Museum. The group then used bulldozers and other heavy machinery to demolish the ancient cities of Nimrud, Hatra, and Khorsabad, all in northern Iraq.

“These . . . acts are an assault on the heritage of the Iraqi and Syrian people,” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement. “ISIS’s twisted goal is clear: to [destroy] a culture and rewrite history in its own brutal image.”

CULTURAL SYMBOLS

ISIS formed in Iraq after the U.S. invaded in 2003. The group is trying to overthrow the governments of Iraq and Syria so that it can create a new country based on its own extreme interpretation of the religion of Islam.

This interpretation promotes the destruction of any religious relics or cultural symbols that don’t directly support ISIS beliefs. Those relics and symbols include ancient artifacts and cities that existed before Islam began in the seventh century. Nimrud, Hatra, and Khorsabad thrived during the Assyrian Empire, a kingdom that existed from 2500 B.C. to 605 B.C. The remains of the cities were rich archaeological sites and important cultural symbols of Iraq and Syria.

The ruins of 3,000-year-old Nimrud included the palaces of Assyrian kings Sennacherib and Ashurbanipal. These buildings were filled with reliefs (works of art with raised figures), statues, winged-bull sculptures, and one of the most impressive collections of carved ivories in the world.

After destroying Nimrud, ISIS brought its bulldozers to Hatra, which flourished (thrived) 2,000 years ago. Hatra was the capital city of an early Arab kingdom. ISIS militants were seen stealing ancient gold and silver coins from Hatra.

Local witnesses are now reporting that ISIS has also destroyed Khorsabad, another Assyrian capital city, which was built sometime before 706 B.C. Its remains included a palace built by King Sargon II, a city wall with a stone foundation, and seven gates.

"A SERIOUS CRIME"

Irina Bokova, the head of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), called the destruction of these cities a war crime.

“We cannot remain silent,” she said in a statement. “I call on all political and religious leaders in the region to stand up and remind everyone that there is absolutely no political or religious justification for the destruction of humanity’s cultural heritage.”

Written assignment: Answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper. Use complete sentences and all of the rules for proper writing you have learned in your language arts classes.

1. Why is ISIS destroying these artifacts?

2. Why is it of concern to the world that ISIS is taking these actions?

3. Explain why these actions would be considered a war crime by UNESCO and the rest of the world.

4. Explain why Irina Bokova, the hea of UNESCO, takes the stand that “there is absolutely no political or religious justification for the destruction of humanity’s cultural heritage.”