Israeli aggression threatens Lebanon’s archaeological treasures

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The New York Times
26 Nov 2024 13:57
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The Israeli strikes on Tyre and Baalbek bear witness to the Israeli atrocities.

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The Roman ruins of Baalbek, one of the best preserved in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site, are seen empty of visitors, in the Bekaa Valley in Baalbek, Lebanon, on April 1, 2021. (AP)

The Israeli aggression has sparked a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, but it has also put at risk the country's historic landmarks, which are a shared source of pride in the nation.

The Baalbek Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands among the endangered treasures. Spanning the Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras, these ancient marvels—some dating back thousands of years—are now at great risk.

Archaeologists, conservators, and the Lebanese army are working tirelessly to safeguard this irreplaceable legacy, racing against time to preserve its profound historical and cultural significance.

Last week, UNESCO designated 34 cultural sites in Lebanon for "enhanced protection", a status that underscores their vulnerability and elevates their safeguarding priority. This measure classifies any attacks on these sites as serious violations of the 1954 Hague Convention, potentially subjecting perpetrators to prosecution under international law.

However, numerous historic sites remain absent from the list and have already suffered damage or destruction due to Israeli airstrikes, according to Lebanese officials and the United Nations. Among these are churches, ancient cemeteries, centuries-old marketplaces, and Crusader-era castles, all irreplaceable markers of Lebanon's rich and diverse heritage.

Despite rising cautious optimism about a potential ceasefire agreement, much of Lebanon's invaluable heritage has already been irreparably lost. The full scope of the destruction remains uncertain, leaving a profound cultural void that may never be entirely measured or restored.

Joanne Farshakh Bajali, a prominent Lebanese archaeologist and head of Bladi, an organization dedicated to preserving Lebanon's heritage, expressed profound anguish over the ongoing destruction.

"They are destroying the memory," she stated, drawing a stark comparison between the damage inflicted by Israeli airstrikes and the devastation of archaeological sites in Afghanistan, highlighting the irreversible loss of cultural identity and history.

Brigadier General Youssef Haidar of the Lebanese army is spearheading efforts to safeguard the nation's heritage. He oversees a specialized unit tasked with relocating artifacts from the severely damaged southern regions, including invaluable pieces that trace back to the Roman and Byzantine civilizations.

At the base, located just a few miles from Beirut, Brigadier General Haidar's troops carried out drills, carefully stacking sandbags over actual artifacts.

This protective strategy is intended to shield the priceless items from shrapnel and shockwaves resulting from nearby explosions, demonstrating a meticulous approach to preserving Lebanon's cultural heritage amid the ongoing war.

Archaeologists have documented extensive destruction across numerous historic border towns, where entire areas have been severely damaged or obliterated. The impact of the strikes has also reached major urban centers, including the ancient cities of Baalbek and Tyre, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, further endangering Lebanon's rich cultural legacy.

The widespread devastation of towns and cities has not spared the dead, as historical cemeteries in Lebanon have been damaged or destroyed amidst Israeli bombardments. These cemeteries, regarded by archaeologists as vital heritage sites, hold centuries of cultural and historical significance, now jeopardized by the ongoing war.