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Iraq's `saviours' guilty of vandalism

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Posted by: mespock

The damage wrought by the construction of an American military base in the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon must rank as one of the most reckless acts of cultural vandalism in recent memory. And all the more so because it was unnecessary and avoidable.

The camp did not have to be established in the city — where the Hanging Gardens, one of the seven wonders of the world, once stood — but given that it was, the U.S. authorities were very aware of the warnings of archaeologists of the historic importance of the site. Yet, as a report by Dr. John Curtis of the British Museum makes clear, they seem to have ignored the warnings.

Dr. Curtis claimed that in the early days after the war a military presence served a valuable purpose in preventing the site from being looted.

But that, he said, did not stop "substantial" damage being done to the site afterwards. An estimated 300,000 square metres had been flattened and covered in gravel, mostly imported from elsewhere.

This was done to provide helicopter landing places and parking lots for heavy vehicles that should not have been allowed there in the first place.

The general situation in Iraq is, of course, overwhelmingly a human and political tragedy but that does not exempt the U.S. authorities, who were in charge until they handed over to Polish soldiers, from the consequences of this act of cultural barbarism.

Babylon is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, situated in an area that has rightly been called the cradle of civilization to which the origins of so many activities from poetry to engineering can be traced.

As Dr. Curtis reminds us, Babylon itself was ruled by two of the most famous kings of antiquity — Hammurabi (1792 to 1750 BC) who introduced the world's first law code and Nebuchadnezzar (605 to 562 BC) who built the famed gardens, probably for his wife.

Babylon is one of the world's treasures as well as Iraq's. The coalition forces have ignored both of these moral responsibilities.

For Iraq it is also a major potential source of tourism which could play a big part in the eventual reconstruction of the economy. During Saddam's reign of terror what archaeological restorations as there were were mainly done in his image (with his name also inscribed on many of the bricks).

No one knows exactly how many more historical treasures lie beneath Babylon. That will not be known until a major excavation is undertaken probably as an international effort. Meanwhile, the aggravated ruins of the city stand as a metaphor for the war itself which has left modern Iraq as well as ancient Babylon in a much worse state than they were before the saviours arrived.

The task of reconstruction cannot happen too quickly.

This is an edited excerpt of an editorial from The Guardian, London.

Posted by: barry2952

I'm sure it was not done with malice but somebody sure had their head up their ass to give that order. I'm sure it will be beautifully restored at American taxpayer expense. Maybe it should be.

Posted by: dertyclown

booo hooo its war sh it happons there has been alot worce done in all wars.
Today I stubed my toe making pankakes? Who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: crazyman

The problem Barry, is that history can't be restored. Once its gone, its gone. If it gets restored it's mearly a replication. War seems to have torn up alot of important sites throughout the world over the years. I think it's a GD shame. Babylon is a very signifigant place, not only in religious history but in the history of civilization.Its sad that instead of seeing great historical sites, people have to settle with seeing where historical sites once were.

Posted by: barry2952

Dertyclown,

Now we all know that you are a moron. Anyone else agree?

Posted by: JohnnyBz00LS

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry2952

Dertyclown,

Now we all know that you are a moron. Anyone else agree?

Posted by: mespock

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyman

The problem Barry, is that history can't be restored. Once its gone, its gone. If it gets restored it's mearly a replication. War seems to have torn up alot of important sites throughout the world over the years. I think it's a GD shame. Babylon is a very signifigant place, not only in religious history but in the history of civilization.Its sad that instead of seeing great historical sites, people have to settle with seeing where historical sites once were.

Posted by: Kbob

I wasn't originally going to join this thread, but here I am (groans are heard throughout the LvC political forum). I'm sure there has been some damage to the archeological site. But the title to this thread and the article is quite a stretch. The U.S. Army is mockingly referred to as Iraq's Saviours. So much for supporting our troops. Then it says that they are guilty of vandalism. This term brings to mind a U.S. soldier going out and painting graffiti on ancient artifacts, or using some great historical structure for target practice like the British did to the Sphinx (where did this editorial come from again? Oh yeah, London). The fact is that the U.S. Army is being sensitive to the cultural and historic value of the site. Not to the level that anti-war groups would like of course, but we'll never be able to please them. Here's an excerpt from a BBC article I found titled "Army base 'has damaged Babylon'" for a little more info:

American troops occupied the site in April 2003, initially to protect it from looters and vandals.

John Curtis, author of the museum's report, said this was "tantamount to establishing a military camp around Stonehenge".

"About 300,000 square metres of the surface of the site has been flattened and covered with compacted gravel and sometimes chemically treated," he said.

"This will contaminate the archaeological record of the site."

He added: "I noted about 12 trenches, one of them 170m long, which had been dug through the archaeological deposits."

Mr Curtis, who is curator of the museum's Near East department, also found evidence of fuel leaks.

But US military spokesman Lt Col Steven Boylan said the base, which has around 6,000 troops under Police command, is needed to "further defeat terrorists and insurgents".

He told BBC Newshour: "Any of the excavations or earth work that we have done in order to do our operations... was done in consultation with the Babylon museum director and an archaeologist."

I'm not suggesting that the Army is perfect in its archeology. Just like archeologists are not perfect in modern military strategy and tactics.

And on the bright side, in 2000 years there will be some more interesting finds at this site.

BTW, I admit that I am not a good judge of someone's intelligence level. But I'm pretty good at figuring out who the

are. I'll keep that knowledge to myself, though. Especially since it could be self incriminating.

Posted by: dertyclown

Hey barry suck my left nut!!!!!!!!!
YOUR ONE TO TALK MR. BS

Posted by: mespock

Hey come on now everyone This is not LvC Etiquette!!

We can have our political opinions but let's not start the Bashing!!!

Let's leave the Bashing up to our wonderful Politicians!!

One thing that make LvC such a great site is the respect we have for each other no matter what our political opinion or any opinion!!

We are allowd to post our opinions and our propoganda for our belief, but let's not bash each other!! Other than mature friendly hazing which has no meaning!!

I believe this is a very difficult time in our nations history. We are a divided nation with strong opinion on each side. Each believing that their opinion is correct!

Lets have LvC show America that we can have our differences but still respect each other for being what we all are. Members of This Earth (I'd say America but we do have members from other nations).

Maybe in our own little world of LvC we can use the World Wide Web as a place to show everyone how people can get along even with our differences!

Long live Lincolns!!! God Bless Cadillacs!!! Drive Hard Drive Safe!!

Mespock out!!

Posted by: barry2952

Quote:

Originally Posted by dertyclown

Hey barry suck my left nut!!!!!!!!!

Another moronic response. Typical. Novice conservative!

Posted by: FreeFaller

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespock

Hey come on now everyone This is not LvC Etiquette!!

We can have our political opinions but let's not start the Bashing!!!

Let's leave the Bashing up to our wonderful Politicians!!

One thing that make LvC such a great site is the respect we have for each other no matter what our political opinion or any opinion!!

We are allowd to post our opinions and our propoganda for our belief, but let's not bash each other!! Other than mature friendly hazing which has no meaning!!

I believe this is a very difficult time in our nations history. We are a divided nation with strong opinion on each side. Each believing that their opinion is correct!

Lets have LvC show America that we can have our differences but still respect each other for being what we all are. Members of This Earth (I'd say America but we do have members from other nations).

Maybe in our own little world of LvC we can use the World Wide Web as a place to show everyone how people can get along even with our differences!

Long live Lincolns!!! God Bless Cadillacs!!! Drive Hard Drive Safe!!

Mespock out!!

Preach on brotha...

Posted by: dertyclown

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry2952

Another moronic response. Typical. Novice conservative!

YOUR JUST BEING PISSY NOW, DID YOU TAKE YOUR MEDS TODAY?

Posted by: barry2952

You prove my point every time you post.

Posted by: dertyclown

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry2952

You prove my point every time you post.

Ok we have different views on things; I unlike you do not like complaining about things that I can’t change. Also unlike you I don’t make up facts to try to prove someone is wrong to make me feel good. Who knows maybe you are just trying to compensate for something!!! Also I am far from a conservative I just don’t see how you yes you barry think being belligerent will help anything. Hey I have an Idea this is on-line so next time think before you type. Its ok barry you don’t have to prove your competent, it seems the harder you try the less you are.

Posted by: barry2952

Who helped you write this?

I still think it is moronic for you to equate the tragic loss of their history to stubbing your toe making pancakes.

This is your quote in response to a very serious article about the unintentional defamation of a historic site. This is your response:

dertyclown
"booo hooo its war sh it happons there has been alot worce done in all wars.
Today I stubed my toe making pankakes? Who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I'm sorry if I offend you but that is a moronic response. Did you even read the article?

Posted by: crazyman

Yea, I have to agree. That was a terrible response. I cracked my head on the corner of my trunk lid today, but I don't know what the f*** that has to do with Babylon. Oh, wait, yes I do... nothing.

Posted by: Kbob

I really don't see what the point is of bashing this guy. I'm not fighting his battles for him, but his point is obviously that the article was much ado about nothing; just another mole hill made into a mountain. Just tone down the cursing is my only advice to him. You other guys are just trolling.