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No pun intended, but this article is such a blast from the past! I remember learning about all things Mesopotamia in sixth grade history and being amazed at how any of anything could still be around today. And it really is an outrage that it was destroyed not by natural causes or on its own accord, but by these terrible people just to gain more publicity. It really is outstanding how much work was originally put into these pieces before and after they were uncovered. I cannot fathom excavating something that large and restoring it to its former glory. And with its destruction, those men’s life work is now gone as well, and that is a terrible shame. There is nothing to be done (I assume) to bring back this lovely architecture and history into our world. So many people in the area or descendants of this powerful time, must be distraught over their heritage being destroyed for nothing more than attention.
My heart breaks at this destruction of history. I have a great appreciation for ancient civilization and deep-seeded hatred towards entities that destroy these irreplaceable artifacts. I understand that by destroying these cities, ISIS gained attention from around the globe, but why do this? Sure, it's no killing of innocent civilians, but you're effectively robbing future generations and the current generation from knowledge. These were some of the first cities in the human civilization and they are are oh so precious. What do you achieve by destroying knowledge? The destruction of the Library of Alexandria back at the turn of the millennium was a huge blow to learning. Sure, these cities didn't house the amount of information that the Library did, but who are we to say that it isn't important? You're destroying your own heritage. Tell me how that's helpful for anything! It's basically taking something away so no one else can have it. And that's childish.
In senior year of high school, I took an intense art history class which covered as much art history that we could cover in a school year. One of the first units which we went in depth in was art of ancient Mesopotamian area. Most of the cities which I learned about and awed at the art are those which are being destroyed. Part of me is devastated to see all of the beautiful temples and cities destroyed. There is rich history which although is saved in many museums, cannot be replaced once the actual city is demolished. People of this area also have immense connections to their art. It’s as if someone decided to destroy the Colosseum in Rome. People would be in outrage because of the connection they feel to their ancestors. It doesn’t matter than the art being destroyed has to do with war and fighting; it matters because it is a piece of history which will be lost forever.
This is so sad, I can't believe people would destroy their own history because they are angry. Anger no matter how long it lasts will always die down in the end. Fights will always start and then they will play out and end. Even wars fought for hundreds of years will eventually end, but what is left behind that symbolizes history will remain. things like this are being taken away from the world, its one thing if nature takes it away and its out of our hands but when an angry group of radicals are angry and want to destroy something, that is when it matters. I'm sure these radicals just want to turn the worlds head, much like a child breaks a vase because everyone is ignoring him. I understand anger, I understand war, but there is nothing that justifies the destruction of legacy unless it is in the way of survival. The world must understand that these ruins can never be replaced if they disappear.
Well this is disappointing, to say the least. It's always hard to see the aftermath of irrational anger, especially when that aftermath is the destruction of something beautiful and would have potentially taught so many people. The first thing I thought of when I read this was the ruins of Ancient Rome. I traveled there six years ago and was totally fascinated by all the history I was able to experience in Rome, Ostia, and Pompeii, especially having studied it in school. I think it's a real loss to not only the people whose home should be respected though they've passed, as well as the generations of people who can learn and grow from the past. I think in some cases that the deconstruction of ruins is okay, such as at Fort Pitt here in Pittsburgh, which they took apart to build homes out of the original brick. I think it's a shame that we aren't able to see/explore the original fort, but this is a more constructive method. Obviously in this situation we're looking at something down out of anger, so it's much different, but those are the things that I thought of.
I found this article extremely distressing. I think it is a testament to the the power of art, architecture and literature that the Islamic State considered these locations to be prime targets to receive international press coverage. However, as the the article clearly states, this paints an enormous target on these spectacular monuments. Terrorist regimes always start with the destroying of art. Take Nazi book burnings, or the Roman destruction of Greek art for example. The obliteration of work cannot destroy the spirit of a culture, but necessitates huge efforts to preserve history and traditions. After reading some of the history in the article, I am blown away with respect for the cultural pioneers that built the basis for all civilizations around today. Only cowards destroy history. It is disheartening that such cowards still exist in the world, and hold such power over world events. I can only hope that there is enough documentation that all of this amazing work was not lost.
Like Olivia and Katie said, tragic events like this have been happening for years when people and/or organizations decide that the best way to make a statement is to destroy history, culture, and knowledge. The only thing I find reassuring is that, in the long term, this approach has not worked. It may garner some temporary attention but it disgusts and infuriates people more than it intimidates them. It shows that these groups know of no alternative way to progress their causes other than violence and hate. While reading this article and the comments the recent #JeSuisCharlie movement came to mind when people spoke up to condemn the murder of innocent people at the office for a French satirical paper. The attackers didn't like what they were seeing and they wanted to send a message so they resorted to horrific acts. Instead of backing down the paper and the enraged citizens of the world united to support free speech. It seems to be the nature for those who are too afraid to open their minds and too proud to be accepting to lash out. But I think it is also in the nature of the curious and the creative to re-build and find the beauty and the lessons in the wreckage. So now it is our responsibility as artists to honor what has been lost and use that to better ourselves and our work.
This is incredibly disappointing to hear, but I can't say I am surprised by the Islamic State's actions. They have a distorted purpose in their destruction -- take away Iraqi culture, art, and society, and what else do the people have to connect them to their past? It's quite a typical method in controlling regimes, and we've seen the patterns again and again in recent and ancient centuries. Because most Middle Eastern states aren't in good graces with most international organizations, their important monuments and ancient cities cannot be protected by statutes like those from UNESCO. I visited Angkor Wat and Luang Prabang in South East Asia (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) and was amazed by how culturally true they were to their time. Mesopotamia forms the basic knowledge we have about some of the earliest forms of Western European culture. It's sick and disgusting that some people think they have the right to take away knowledge that is the property of the world.
This is so incredibly sad, not only because of the destruction of artifacts and historical locations but also because of the cultural connections these artifacts preserve. In my studies of history and religion in high school (three cheers for Catholic education, everybody) we learned that some scholars believe that Mesopotamia and the fertile crescent in between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers is the original location of the Garden of Eden as it appears in the old testament. Not only were the beliefs of these scholars founded in the historical beginnings of organized civilization in this place, but also in the beginnings of organized religion. The civilizations founded on these sites were not only an important influence for the rest of the world technologically, but artistically, culturally, and religiously: thus the destruction of the artifacts found here are not only devastating to the resident peoples, but to the world at large.
9 comments:
No pun intended, but this article is such a blast from the past! I remember learning about all things Mesopotamia in sixth grade history and being amazed at how any of anything could still be around today. And it really is an outrage that it was destroyed not by natural causes or on its own accord, but by these terrible people just to gain more publicity. It really is outstanding how much work was originally put into these pieces before and after they were uncovered. I cannot fathom excavating something that large and restoring it to its former glory. And with its destruction, those men’s life work is now gone as well, and that is a terrible shame. There is nothing to be done (I assume) to bring back this lovely architecture and history into our world. So many people in the area or descendants of this powerful time, must be distraught over their heritage being destroyed for nothing more than attention.
My heart breaks at this destruction of history. I have a great appreciation for ancient civilization and deep-seeded hatred towards entities that destroy these irreplaceable artifacts. I understand that by destroying these cities, ISIS gained attention from around the globe, but why do this? Sure, it's no killing of innocent civilians, but you're effectively robbing future generations and the current generation from knowledge. These were some of the first cities in the human civilization and they are are oh so precious. What do you achieve by destroying knowledge? The destruction of the Library of Alexandria back at the turn of the millennium was a huge blow to learning. Sure, these cities didn't house the amount of information that the Library did, but who are we to say that it isn't important? You're destroying your own heritage. Tell me how that's helpful for anything! It's basically taking something away so no one else can have it. And that's childish.
In senior year of high school, I took an intense art history class which covered as much art history that we could cover in a school year. One of the first units which we went in depth in was art of ancient Mesopotamian area. Most of the cities which I learned about and awed at the art are those which are being destroyed. Part of me is devastated to see all of the beautiful temples and cities destroyed. There is rich history which although is saved in many museums, cannot be replaced once the actual city is demolished. People of this area also have immense connections to their art. It’s as if someone decided to destroy the Colosseum in Rome. People would be in outrage because of the connection they feel to their ancestors. It doesn’t matter than the art being destroyed has to do with war and fighting; it matters because it is a piece of history which will be lost forever.
This is so sad, I can't believe people would destroy their own history because they are angry. Anger no matter how long it lasts will always die down in the end. Fights will always start and then they will play out and end. Even wars fought for hundreds of years will eventually end, but what is left behind that symbolizes history will remain. things like this are being taken away from the world, its one thing if nature takes it away and its out of our hands but when an angry group of radicals are angry and want to destroy something, that is when it matters. I'm sure these radicals just want to turn the worlds head, much like a child breaks a vase because everyone is ignoring him. I understand anger, I understand war, but there is nothing that justifies the destruction of legacy unless it is in the way of survival. The world must understand that these ruins can never be replaced if they disappear.
Well this is disappointing, to say the least. It's always hard to see the aftermath of irrational anger, especially when that aftermath is the destruction of something beautiful and would have potentially taught so many people. The first thing I thought of when I read this was the ruins of Ancient Rome. I traveled there six years ago and was totally fascinated by all the history I was able to experience in Rome, Ostia, and Pompeii, especially having studied it in school. I think it's a real loss to not only the people whose home should be respected though they've passed, as well as the generations of people who can learn and grow from the past. I think in some cases that the deconstruction of ruins is okay, such as at Fort Pitt here in Pittsburgh, which they took apart to build homes out of the original brick. I think it's a shame that we aren't able to see/explore the original fort, but this is a more constructive method. Obviously in this situation we're looking at something down out of anger, so it's much different, but those are the things that I thought of.
I found this article extremely distressing. I think it is a testament to the the power of art, architecture and literature that the Islamic State considered these locations to be prime targets to receive international press coverage. However, as the the article clearly states, this paints an enormous target on these spectacular monuments. Terrorist regimes always start with the destroying of art. Take Nazi book burnings, or the Roman destruction of Greek art for example. The obliteration of work cannot destroy the spirit of a culture, but necessitates huge efforts to preserve history and traditions. After reading some of the history in the article, I am blown away with respect for the cultural pioneers that built the basis for all civilizations around today. Only cowards destroy history. It is disheartening that such cowards still exist in the world, and hold such power over world events. I can only hope that there is enough documentation that all of this amazing work was not lost.
Like Olivia and Katie said, tragic events like this have been happening for years when people and/or organizations decide that the best way to make a statement is to destroy history, culture, and knowledge. The only thing I find reassuring is that, in the long term, this approach has not worked. It may garner some temporary attention but it disgusts and infuriates people more than it intimidates them. It shows that these groups know of no alternative way to progress their causes other than violence and hate. While reading this article and the comments the recent #JeSuisCharlie movement came to mind when people spoke up to condemn the murder of innocent people at the office for a French satirical paper. The attackers didn't like what they were seeing and they wanted to send a message so they resorted to horrific acts. Instead of backing down the paper and the enraged citizens of the world united to support free speech. It seems to be the nature for those who are too afraid to open their minds and too proud to be accepting to lash out. But I think it is also in the nature of the curious and the creative to re-build and find the beauty and the lessons in the wreckage. So now it is our responsibility as artists to honor what has been lost and use that to better ourselves and our work.
This is incredibly disappointing to hear, but I can't say I am surprised by the Islamic State's actions. They have a distorted purpose in their destruction -- take away Iraqi culture, art, and society, and what else do the people have to connect them to their past? It's quite a typical method in controlling regimes, and we've seen the patterns again and again in recent and ancient centuries. Because most Middle Eastern states aren't in good graces with most international organizations, their important monuments and ancient cities cannot be protected by statutes like those from UNESCO. I visited Angkor Wat and Luang Prabang in South East Asia (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) and was amazed by how culturally true they were to their time. Mesopotamia forms the basic knowledge we have about some of the earliest forms of Western European culture. It's sick and disgusting that some people think they have the right to take away knowledge that is the property of the world.
This is so incredibly sad, not only because of the destruction of artifacts and historical locations but also because of the cultural connections these artifacts preserve. In my studies of history and religion in high school (three cheers for Catholic education, everybody) we learned that some scholars believe that Mesopotamia and the fertile crescent in between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers is the original location of the Garden of Eden as it appears in the old testament. Not only were the beliefs of these scholars founded in the historical beginnings of organized civilization in this place, but also in the beginnings of organized religion. The civilizations founded on these sites were not only an important influence for the rest of the world technologically, but artistically, culturally, and religiously: thus the destruction of the artifacts found here are not only devastating to the resident peoples, but to the world at large.
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