Damage to Gaza Cultural Sites
In times of war, we must remember that people and families are not the only casualties (though those casualties are horrific enough). The Art Newspaper recently published a report stating that they have evidence that Gaza’s Antiquities Museum has been damaged and with it many of their artifacts.
“The glass doors and windows have been shattered and the roof and walls have been damaged. Roman and Byzantine pottery, Islamic bronze objects and many amphorae have been destroyed, initially during shooting 20m to 200m away, and later because of nearby shelling, with one direct hit to the museum’s conference hall.”
The air will clear in the coming weeks and we will see what can be salvaged. While these conflicts may be necessary evils, many government and military officials don’t understand the repercussions of their actions on rarities like those found in The Antiquities Museum of Gaza. We have lost treasures, most certainly and we’ve lost the ability to educate our children about some of those items found only in the Gaza Museum. It’s a shame really.
Here is a photo of the owner with the Museum in the background. In 2008, the New York Times ran a slide show of the Museum.
I’m still very worried about all that has been lost during the conflict and war with Iraq. It seems to me, with all the destruction and looting, we will have lost something akin to the Nazi pilfering of European treasures. I just hope that Iraq’s art and antiquities get the proper consideration even if we, as Westerners, may not feel as connected to the Iraqi people and their (art) history.
3 years ago | Tags: Gaza, war, Art Newspaper, Iraq, art artifacts Palestine destruction cultural sites New York Times museums Gaza Museum of Antiquities
