Antiquities and historical monuments

Topic: Antiquities and historical monuments

Exhibits from the exhibition in Bonn's Bundeskunsthalle (photo: Bundeskunsthalle Bonn)

Iran exhibition: "Ancient Culture between Water and Desert "

The cradle of civilisation

Ancient Persians were visually oriented and close to nature. Artefacts that only narrowly escaped theft are now on show for the first time outside Iran. The German exhibition reveals the origins of present-day Iran. By Sabine OelzeMore

Cultural policy and architecture in Iran: Far from an Islamist Utopia The ''Roads of Arabia'' exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art: Saudi Arabia's surprising treasures Islamic Archaeology: Samarra, centre of the world

Many churches, like this one in Qaraqosh, not far from Mosul, were destroyed by IS (photo: M. Moskwar)

Christians in Iraq

Coping with wrack and ruin

The Christian villages around the Iraqi city of Mosul may have been liberated, but in reality, the scars of brutal IS rule mean they are uninhabitable. For most residents, returning is not an option at this stage. By Karim El-Gawhary More

The Mosul offensive: In enemy heartland Christians in Iraq: Between the fronts Christian minorities in the Islamic World: No Arab Spring for Christians

French author and translator Mathias Enard (photo: AFP)

Book review: Mathias Enard′s ″Boussole″

In love with the Orient

Mathias Enard has written a magnificent novel about Europe’s fascination with the Orient. Awarded France’s prestigious Prix Goncourt, the multi-layered and astounding book is the story of a great unfulfilled love, but above all a plea for cultural dialogue. Ulrich von Schwerin read the book More

Gertrude Bell: Queen of the desert Goethe and the Orient: Why did the poet's mind wander to far-off climes?Historical travelogues by women: Lugging a piano to Khartoum Qantara dossier: Travel

Old postcard image of Martyrs' Square, Beirut (photo: Elie Wardini 1995)

Lebanon′s architectural heritage

A race against time

Old Beirut is slowly dying. Remnants of the Lebanese capital′s architectural heritage have survived two world wars, fifteen years of civil war, the 2006 Summer War, as well as hundreds of car bombings, suicide attacks and assassinations. Yet now, writes Changiz Varzi, there′s a new, inexorable threat: real estate development More

Association for the Protection of the Lebanese Heritage Facebook page (APLH) Lebanon's "You Stink" protest movement: Rubbish knows no religion Hezbollah in Lebanon: How Hezbollah is paralysing Lebanese politics Book review ″Beirut Noir″: Chronicling life in the corrupt city

Residents behind the military blockade preventing access to Sur in Diyarbakir (photo: Reuters/S. Kayar)

Diyarbakir and the Turkish military offensive

The spoils of urban warfare

The Turkish military operation brought death and destruction to the historic heart of Diyarbakir. Now, there has been a sudden decision to nationalise the neighbourhood – sounding alarm bells for its historic legacy. By Sonja GallerMore

Turkey: interview with Bilgin Ayata: No haven for refugees Turkey and the Kurdish conflict: The desolation of Cizre Turkey′s campaign against the PKK: Siege tactics

UNESCO World Heritage site Palmyra (photo: MAHER AL MOUNES/AFP/Getty Images)

Palmyra post-IS

A pawn in Assad's game

For Palmyra, Assad is just as bad as IS. Completely rebuilding Palmyra's destroyed cultural treasures would turn it into a kind of Disneyland, says archaeologist Annie Sartre-Fauriat. Interview by Sabine OelzeMore

Arab reactions to the reconquest of Palmyra: A dirty double-cross Palmyra's ancient queen: Zenobia, secular Arab heroine Archaeological artefacts and sites in Syria: When historical treasures become pawns in a civil war

An armed Iraqi guards the excavation of a newly discovered Sumerian settlement in Umm al-Aqareb some 300 kilometres south of Baghdad (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Between Tigris and Euphrates

Mesopotamia: the cradle of civilisation

The Middle East is not only the scene of terrible violence, but also the birthplace of modern civilisation. It is high time we recalled the historical significance of ancient Mesopotamian culture, realising that current events in the Middle East are also a threat to our own identity. By Melanie Christina MohrMore

The destruction of Yemen's cultural heritage: Treasures of humanity under threat Syria's cultural heritage under threat: "Virtually nothing is left"The German archaeologist and explorer Max von Oppenheim: Enchanted by the myth of the Orient Islamic Archaeology: Samarra, centre of the world

Reconstruction of Aleppo

″Others destroy and we rebuild″

The battle-torn city of Aleppo lies in ruins. Nonetheless, former residents of the city and experts located in Budapest are already working towards the reconstruction of the 5000 year old metropolis. By Iris MostegelMore

Syria's cultural heritage under threat: "Virtually nothing is left"Qantara photo essay: Syria's cultural heritage in danger Destruction of historic sites: Syria is losing its history

The National Museum in Beirut

Fighting to save the region's cultural heritage

As world heritage sites in Iraq and Syria continue to be bombed, blown up and bulldozed, the question as to what can be done to save their historical treasures has taken on a new urgency. The National Museum in Beirut is playing its part in trying to save the region's cultural heritage. By Juliane Metzker in BeirutMore

Archaeological artefacts and sites in Syria: When historical treasures become pawns in a civil war Syria's cultural heritage under threat: "Virtually nothing is left"The destruction of Yemen's cultural heritage: Treasures of humanity under threat A brief history of Palmyra, the ancient pearl of Syria's desert

The Roman amphitheatre in Suwaida, Syria (photo: Wikipedia)

Archaeological artefacts and sites in Syria

When historical treasures become pawns in a civil war

The Druze region in southern Syria, home to numerous archaeological treasures, is still regarded as one of the strongholds of the Assad regime. But that may soon change. Will Suwaida become the next Palmyra? By Joseph CroitoruMore

Photo gallery: Palmyra, an oasis of cultural history The Druze in the Syrian conflict: Potential to tip the scales The civil war in Syria: When minorities become pawns in a power game Palmyra's ancient queen: Zenobia, secular Arab heroine

The painting "Queen Zenobia's Last Look Upon Palmyra" by Herbert Gustave Schmalz (photo: picture-alliance/heritage images)

Palmyra's ancient queen

Zenobia, secular Arab heroine

The city of Palmyra, which was recently seized by Islamic State (IS), was once ruled by Queen Zenobia, who became a source of inspiration for modern, secular Arabs and the Arab women's movement alike. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that articles in the Arab media are referring to Zenobia as a "prisoner of the jihadists". By Joseph CroitoruMore

Photo gallery: Palmyra, an oasis of cultural history Lebanese victims of torture: Remembering Palmyra Syria's ancient treasures and historical sites: Under threat from bullets and thieves Qantara dossier: The Syrian Civil War

Damage to the Grand Mosque in Aleppo (photo: picture-alliance/abaca)

Syria's cultural heritage under threat

"Virtually nothing is left"

It is now plain for all to see that the destruction of Syria's cultural heritage is far worse than anyone expected. Michel al-Maqdissi, director of the Archaeological Excavations Department at the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums from 2000 to 2012, tells Mona Sarkis how dire things really are and of the mistakes made by UNESCOMore

Syria's ancient treasures and historical sites: Under threat from bullets and thieves Destruction of historical sites: Syria is losing its history Aleppo's Old Town: World cultural heritage threatened by Syria's civil war Photo gallery: "Syria's cultural heritage in danger"