Syrian archaeologists rescued 30,000 artifacts from ISIS threat

Syrian archaeologists rescued approximately 30,000 artifacts from the Deir ez-Zor Museum during the summers of 2014 and 2015.

Maamoun Abdulkarim, who served as the Director-General of the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) from 2012 to 2017, oversaw the operation. The team moved the items through a narrow, vulnerable corridor to a military airport to prevent the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from capturing the collection.

The rescue occurred as ISIS expanded control across Syria and Iraq, leading to the destruction of cultural sites in places like Mosul and Nineveh. The Deir ez-Zor Museum held many items from Mesopotamian civilizations, including sites such as Halaf, Dura-Europos, and Mari. Abdulkarim notes that the operation was part of a larger effort during his tenure that relocated about 300,000 artifacts to secure locations throughout the country.

Abdulkarim argues that successful emergency rescues depend on trust and preparation established during stable times. He states that the ability to make rapid decisions under uncertainty is a result of having competent personnel, meticulous documentation, and strong institutional relationships. He suggests that heritage professionals should incorporate risk management into daily operations rather than waiting for a crisis to occur.