Scholars Call for U.N. to Ban Trade in Syrian Antiquities

ARTSBEAT | NYT
By Randy Kennedy

Bas-relief work on display at the National Museum of Iraq in Baghdad. Scholars say antiquities from parts of Iraq and Syria controlled by the Islamic State are threatened by looting.Credit Hadi Mizban/Associated Press

More than 80 prominent archaeologists and other scholars from around the world have signed an open letter calling on the United Nations Security Council to ban trade in Syrian antiquities, a market they say is now destroying Syria’s cultural heritage and providing funding for extremist groups. [link]