The power of ISIL's 'cultural genocide' in Syria and Iraq

November 13, 2015

ISIL destroying artifacts is an effort to wipe out the history of their enemies, experts say

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The power of ISIL's 'cultural genocide' in Syria and Iraq

The fight against ISIL is about more than territory, ideology and economics. There is also a cultural battle taking place. As ISIL sweeps across large swaths of Syria and Iraq, it has been looting and destroying ancient heritage artifacts and sites. It's a form of "cultural genocide," according to Jack Green of the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute. In this America Tonight excerpt, Joie Chen looks at how archaeologists, anthropologists and even FBI agents are working together to track and protect these historic artifacts before they are destroyed and erased from history.


 

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