Developing a Research Community and Capacity for the Study of Cultural Heritage in Conflict

Eric Ashcroft Geospatial Technologies and Human Rights Project Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program American Association for the Advancement of Science www.aaas.org/geotech @aaas_gthr World’s largest multidisciplinary scientific membership organization

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American Association for the Advancement of Science Washington, DC The Program is committed to:

• promoting high standards for the practice of science;

• advancing the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress;

• engaging scientists in human rights;

• enhancing assessment of ethical, legal, and human rights issues related to science and technology; and

• furthering the use of science and technology in support of human rights. Geospatial Technologies and Human Rights Project

• Identify human rights applications of high- and low-resolution satellite image analysis • Increase understanding among human rights courts, commissions, and other organizations regarding applications of geospatial technologies • Utilize high-resolution satellite imagery to study border conflicts, in order to identify warning signs that can help predict future hostilities • Assess the status of cultural heritage sites in and Iraq to build knowledge regarding the reasons why heritage is targeted during conflict Example: Syria Medical Facility Attacks Partner: Physicians for Human Rights

5 Research

Developing a Research Community and Capacity for the Study of Cultural Heritage in Conflict

Questions: • Why is cultural heritage targeted in conflict? • Under what circumstances? By whom? • What research community is needed to answer these questions? • What research methods and datasets are required to answer these questions?

University of Pennsylvania Museum Smithsonian Institution American Association for the Advancement of Science

National Science Foundation Award #1439549 Research

• Social and political factors contributing to the destruction of cultural heritage sites during conflict are poorly understood due to the absence of an interdisciplinary research network and shared datasets for developing and testing theoretical frameworks.

• Large scale, systematically collected datasets have demonstrated utility in studies about the accelerators and social dynamics of conflict.

• The study of cultural heritage in conflict situations would benefit from an intensive planning period in order to organize a research community that can effectively utilize and develop large-scale data resources. The Safeguarding the Heritage of Syria and Iraq Project (SHOSI)

Institutional Partners: • Penn Cultural Heritage Center University of Pennsylvania Museum

• Office of the Under Secretary for Art and Culture Smithsonian Institution

• Geospatial Technologies and Human Rights Project American Association for the Advancement of Science

• Middle Eastern Studies Center Shawnee State University

• U.S. Institute of Peace

• The Day After Association

Ancient City of Khusriwiye Mosque, Grand Serail, Yalbougha an-Nasry dome Khusriwiye Mosque, Grand Serail, Hammam Yalbougha an-Nasry dome Grand Serail Dura-Europos Dura-Europos Dura-Europos Ancient Site of : Fakhr-al-Din al-Ma'ani Castle Ancient Site of Palmyra: Fakhr-al-Din al-Ma'ani Castle Ebla Ebla Ebla : Jebel Barisha Dead Cities: Jebel Barisha Dead Cities: Jebel Barisha Raqqa: Tombs of Uwais al- Qarani, Obay ibn Qays, and Ammar ibn Yasir Raqqa: Tombs of Uwais al- Qarani, Obay ibn Qays, and Ammar ibn Yasir Raqqa: Tombs of Uwais al- Qarani, Obay ibn Qays, and Ammar ibn Yasir The SHOSI Project: Support for the Syrian Heritage Task Force

• Established in June 2014 by the Syrian Interim Government.

• A freestanding, non- governmental entity.

• Led by Syrian technical experts.

• Interface with UNESCO, ICCROM, ICOMOS, ICOM, and ICBS.

• Able to implement training activities and workshops. The SHOSI Project : Workshops

Emergency Care for Syrian Museum Collections

23-25 June 2014 1. To offer information on how to secure museum collections safely during emergencies. 2. To provide participants with basic supplies for packing and securing museum collections. 3. To create a dialogue between Syrian participants about emergency responses.

Photo Credit: Syrian Heritage Task Force The SHOSI Project: Reducing Looting

Photo Credit: Syrian Heritage Task Force The SHOSI Project: Ma’arra Mosaic Museum

Photo Credit: Syrian Heritage Task Force The SHOSI Project: Ma’arra Mosaic Museum

Photo Credit: Syrian Heritage Task Force The Safeguarding the Heritage of Syria and Iraq Project (SHOSI)

Future Activities:

• Hold at least three training workshops for Syrian and Iraqi heritage professionals.

• Conduct baseline documentation of sites at great risk of destruction by ISIL in Syria and Iraq.

• Support emergency heritage protection projects inside Syria as needed and possible.

• Release a series of reports using scientific methodologies focused on damage to Syrian and Iraqi cultural sites using a combination of satellite imagery and on-the-ground documentation. The Safeguarding the Heritage of Syria and Iraq Project (SHOSI)

Project Financial Support:

• J. M. Kaplan Fund

• National Science Foundation

• Anonymous Private Donors