Having claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions already, the devastating Syrian Civil War has also seen the wanton destruction of many priceless relics of the ancient world. In addition to the collateral damage inevitable in times of war, the events of the last few years have seen the growth of ISIS, which seems hell-bent on destroying many ancient sites and artifacts, deeming them un-Islamic. Following are just some of the historical landmarks that have been forever lost to the barbarism so far.
1. The Citadel of Palmyra
Located in the Homs region of Syria, the ancient ruined city of Palmyra boasts almost 4,000 years of history. Rising to fame and prominence around 2,000 years ago, the city’s wealth enabled the construction of various monumental buildings, such as the Temple of Baalshamin and the theater. In the most high-profile case of ISIS’s lust for destruction, the site’s two major temples were blown up along with the Lion of Al-lat statue and numerous other priceless artifacts.
