2016 AAAS Annual Meeting (February 11-15, 2016)

February 10 - 15, 2016

Cultural Heritage Destruction: Evidence and Emergency Responses

Protecting Cultural Heritage Sites and Artifacts How can the international and academic community respond to the destruction of cultural heritage occurring in the Middle East and North Africa? The study of cultural heritage destruction is an emerging area of global concern. Addressing this social and political phenomenon necessitates an interdisciplinary approach, requiring methods that can be developed and applied in a range of research settings. International collaborative efforts are underway in a number of countries to apply scientific methodologies from multiple disciplines for documentation and mitigation efforts. These efforts encompass on-the-ground partnerships with local groups and individuals, as well as analyses using cutting-edge technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite imagery. This panel discusses intervention and documentation efforts relating to the destruction and protection of cultural heritage in the context of recent events in the Middle East and North Africa region. Panelists review the social dynamics involved in the intentional destruction of cultural heritage, the methods employed for documentation, emergency preservation interventions that have occurred or are underway, and the practical and ethical responsibilities of heritage professionals in crisis situations.