Looting surges at Syria’s ancient sites amid poverty and lawlessness
Looting surges at Syria’s ancient sites amid poverty and lawlessness
Looting of ancient archaeological sites in Syria has reached alarming levels, particularly in the historic city of Palmyra, where grave robbers dig under cover of night in search of artefacts, according to a new report released by The Guardian. Armed with shovels and jackhammers, looters target burial sites over 2,000 years old, leaving deep holes and destroyed layers of history.
Experts say antiquities trafficking has intensified dramatically since the fall of the ruling regime in December. The Antiquities Trafficking and Heritage Anthropology Research (ATHAR) project reports that nearly a third of the 1,500 documented cases since 2012 occurred in recent months alone.
The report said that Syria’s economic collapse and weak security have contributed to a surge in illegal excavations. Metal detectors are now sold widely, and social media platforms like Facebook have become key hubs for selling looted artefacts, despite a 2020 ban by Meta.
It added that looters range from impoverished locals to organized criminal networks. Some artefacts are smuggled through neighboring countries and eventually sold in Western markets, where demand remains high.
Syria’s government has offered incentives to recover antiquities, but enforcement remains limited. Heritage advocates urge the international community—particularly buyers in the West—to address demand, warning that cultural losses could become irreversible.
