The report records the devastation of Palmyra, an ancient city registered as a World Heritage Site, after the collapse of Assad’s regime.

Palmyra is one of the most famous sites in Syria for its extraordinary heritage and archaeological sites. The city, which was engraved on the World Heritage List in 1980, saw many of its heritage being destroyed during the war. Following the release of Syria from the Assad regime on December 8, an interdisciplinary team conducted a field study in Palmyra to assess the current state of the archaeological monuments and surrounding residential areas, before the start of Syria. They were compared to conditions. The uprising of 2011. This report is the Palmyren Voice initiative of NGO Heritage for Peace, in collaboration with CSIC’s Mira I Fontanal Facilities.

“We want,” said Isber Sabrine, CSIC archaeologist and one of the report’s coordinators, “The community and international entities face the serious threats Palmyra’s heritage are exploiting. To raise awareness among both society.”

Sabrine is an archaeologist of Syrian origin and is currently a researcher at IMF-CSIC. Hasan Ali and Mohammed Farez are archaeologists and members of the Palmyren Boyce Initiative, coordinating the report. A team of 15 observers provided data to the report, including Palmyra, archaeologists and refugee citizens who have recently returned to the city.

80% of cities have been destroyed or are on the verge of collapse

The report highlights historical and recent challenges, including periods of oppression under the presidents of Hafez al-Assad (1971–2000) and Bashar al-Assad (2000–2024), and Islamic State. highlights the destructive damages during occupation by (ISISIS).

The documented buildings and archaeological sites cover approximately 12 square kilometres, including the EFQA OASI.

The latter, about 400 hectares, was burned to the ground in a 2020 fire set by the Assad regime. The rest of the trees, which no longer receive water, have been turned into dried and dead trees. Now, as documented by observers, some returning orchard owners are trying to preserve the palms and olive trees.

Eighty percent of city buildings have been destroyed or at risk of collapse, the report says, with landmines and weapons scattered everywhere. Basic services such as water, electricity, the internet, education and health are rarely present in a population struggling with severe poverty. About 10% of Palmyra’s 100,000 residents have returned.

Damage to archaeological heritage

Observers have exploited damage to the most important monuments and archaeological sites, including Roman ruins such as Tetrapyron (a tight group of four columns originating from the second century) and Roman ruins such as Roman theatres. Documented (both in the 2nd century), Diocletian’s Camp (3rd century), Palmyra Castle or Kalat ibnman (13th century), Valley of the Tombs (1st century), Palmyra Archaeological Museum, etc.

Thus, for example, the four structures of tetrapyron were destroyed by an explosion, reducing the pillars into tiled rubs and scattered pieces of stone. It is also noted that there is no evidence of documenting or numbering of stones. About 2,200 years ago, Barsha Shamin Temple has been reduced to Kura Rub.

At a Roman theatre, researchers discovered evidence of the collapse of a façade damaged by the bombing. Signs of illegal excavation have also been discovered.

Regarding the archaeological museum, the report notes that most of the heavy statues and funeral beds have been destroyed or broken, and the structure of the building has been severely damaged by air bombing. The museum is not in operation, but security guards from the Ancient Bureau and some local volunteers are protecting it without support from the new administration. Furthermore, there is no administrative staff to oversee the museum.

The availability of more staff to protect and preserve Palmyra’s heritage is directly linked to the return of the population, according to the authors of the report. “Cities now face greater challenges due to the devastation caused by the conflict, leading to large-scale movement of their residents.

You need to rebuild

The report notes that it is essential for Palmyra to prioritize restructuring its basic infrastructure and habitable sectors to regain its vitality and HR to manage its heritage. “Without housing, essential services and economic opportunities, population return is limited, making it difficult for local experts and workers to make it available to conserving heritage,” Sabrine said. He said.

The report states that “local and international communities will recognize the threats facing Palmyra and the urgent need to rebuild and rebuild its archaeological sites, oasis and residential areas. I’m trying to encourage you.”

It also highlights the urgent need to implement rehabilitation and reconstruction strategies for archaeological sites and modern cities of Palmyra to ensure the conservation and revival of this globally important place. ”

This joint action reinforces the commitment of the IMF-CSIC and Palmyra Voice initiatives to defend cultural heritage and reconstruction of post-conflict Syria.