Syrian Site Being Looted in Unrest

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Several archaeological sites in the ancient city of Apamea in Syria have been vandalized and pillaged by groups taking advantage of the events in Syria to excavate secretly, dig randomly and steal artefacts. Some of the looters attacked site guards and threatened to kill them if they tried to stop them.

H. Sabbagh, 'Archeological Sites in Ancient City of Apamea Vandalized and Pillaged', Syrian Arab News Agency, Sep 20, 2011.



Photo: Apamea in NW Syria. Sites with upstanding remains like this are particularly prone to attack by looters, after both sculpted elements as well as "minor artefacts" which may be recovered easily from the places pinpointed by the surface remains.

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