The Stream

Archaeology at risk

Preserving cultural heritage under threat.

History is taking a beating. Ancient temples and the people who preserve them are under threat in Syria from ISIL fighters. Rising sea levels and heavy rain are washing away coastal sites and mud-brick ruins. And looters are marauding anywhere they can make a profit. This makes archaeological study all the more difficult, and important. The Stream talks to archaeologists working to protect heritage under threat from conflict, climate climate and cultural differences to understand what truths may be lost or gained from the past. 

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Amr Al Azm @alazmamr
Associate professor, Middle East History & Anthropology, Shawnee State University

George Abungu
Owner, Okello Abungu Heritage Consultants

Tomás Gallareta Cervera @TomasGallaretaC
Archaeology graduate student, University of North Carolina

Peggy Brunache @peggybrunache
Archaeologist and food historian

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