Considerations of cultural heritage: Threats to Mesopotamian archaeological sites

详细信息   

• 作者：Hanson ; Katharyn A.
• 学历：Doctor
• 年：2012
• 关键词：Social sciences ; Ancient Near East ; Archaeology ; Cult
• 导师：Gibson,McGuire
• 毕业院校：The University of Chicago
• Department：Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
• 专业：Archaeology;Cultural anthropology;Near Eastern Studies
• ISBN：9781267437648
• CBH：3513460
• Country：USA
• 语种：English
• FileSize：206647118
• Pages：294

文摘

The destruction of Iraq's cultural heritage gained public attention after the looting of the Iraq National Museum in 2003. However,little has been done to identify and investigate the current threats to Mesopotamian archaeological sites. Given that damage to cultural heritage endangers the very heart of what archaeologists do,it is critical to build a body of work that investigates the type and extent of damage to cultural heritage sites,that examines the context of the threat,and that analyzes the efficacy and availability of tools and tactics to protect endangered cultural heritage. This dissertation seeks to explore the questions inherent in the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria: What type of damage is occurring? How can we measure the extent of destruction? Why are these sites threatened? And ultimately,what can we do to better prevent the continued destruction of cultural heritage at Mesopotamian archaeological sites? There are three main threats to cultural heritage in Syria and Iraq today: agricultural development,urban growth,and looting. Using a case study approach to investigate each of these threats,this dissertation will provide snapshots of the current status of cultural heritage protection in Syria and Iraq. The first case study focuses on agricultural expansion at Tell Zeidan;the second case study on the modern construction at and around Nineveh investigates damage caused by urban growth;the final case study examines the past and future threat of looting at Umma. Analysis of these case studies is framed within a broader discussion of the legal mechanisms related to cultural heritage preservation in Syria and Iraq,and provides a foundation for future consideration of and solutions to the primary threats to ancient Mesopotamian archaeological sites.