A new report details the extensive damage to the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, following the documented end of the Assad regime on December 8th. The report, a collaborative effort between the Palmyrene Voices of the NGO Heritage for Peace and the CSIC’s Milà i Fontanals Institution (IMF-CSIC), assesses the condition of the archaeological monuments and surrounding residential areas, comparing the current state to pre-2011 conditions before the Syrian uprising.
“Our goal is to raise awareness, both locally and internationally, about the serious threats facing Palmyra’s heritage,” explains Isber Sabrine, a Syrian archaeologist and researcher at IMF-CSIC, who co-coordinated the report with archaeologists Hasan Ali and Mohammed Fares of Palmyrene Voices. The report compiled data from 15 observers, including Palmyra residents, archaeologists, and returning refugees.
Widespread Destruction and Decay
The report highlights the damaging impact of repression under both Hafez and Bashar al-Assad (1971-2024), compounded by the devastating occupation by ISIS. It covers approximately 12 square kilometers, including the Efqa Oasis, which was ravaged by fires attributed to the Assad regime in 2020. The remaining trees in the oasis, deprived of water, have withered, although some returning residents are attempting to salvage their palm and olive groves.
A staggering 80% of Palmyra’s buildings are reported as destroyed or on the verge of collapse. Landmines and unexploded ordnance pose ongoing dangers, while essential services like water, electricity, internet access, education, and healthcare are virtually nonexistent. Severe poverty plagues the returning population, currently estimated at 10,000, a mere 10% of the pre-war population of 100,000.
Irreparable Damage to Archaeological Treasures
The report documents damage to 12 key monuments and sites, including Roman-era structures like the Tetrapylon, the Roman Theatre, the Camp of Diocletian, the 13th-century Qalʿat Ibn Maʿn (Palmyra Castle), the Valley of the Tombs, and the Palmyra Archaeological Museum.
The Tetrapylon’s four columned structures were reduced to rubble by explosions, with no apparent documentation or numbering of the stones to aid reconstruction. The 2,200-year-old Temple of Baal Shamin has been similarly obliterated. The Roman Theatre’s façade suffered bomb damage and shows signs of looting and illegal excavations. Inside the Archaeological Museum, heavy statues and funerary beds lie shattered, and the building itself bears the scars of aerial bombardment. While guarded by Directorate of Antiquities staff and local volunteers, the museum remains non-operational, lacking administrative staff and support from the new administration.
Rebuilding a Future for Palmyra
The report emphasizes the link between the return of Palmyra’s population and the availability of personnel for heritage protection. The authors stress the urgent need to prioritize the reconstruction of basic infrastructure and housing. “Without housing, essential services, and economic opportunities, the return of the population will be limited, hindering the availability of local professionals and workers for heritage conservation,” Sabrine explains.
The report calls for local and international support to rehabilitate and reconstruct Palmyra’s archaeological site, oasis, and residential areas. It urges the implementation of comprehensive strategies to ensure the conservation of this invaluable world heritage site and facilitate the return of its people. This joint initiative by IMF-CSIC and Palmyrene Voices underscores their commitment to protecting cultural heritage and rebuilding a post-conflict Syria.