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Before and After ISIS: Heartbreaking Photos Of Destroyed Historical Monuments In Syria
Before and After ISIS: Heartbreaking Photos Of Destroyed Historical Monuments In Syria
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Before and After ISIS: Heartbreaking Photos Of Destroyed Historical Monuments In Syria

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The Syrian war is not only infamous of its many casualties but also because of the destruction of the most beautiful ancient history sites found all over the country. A year after ISIS took it, the Syrian city of Palmyra was recently retaken by Syrian forces backed by Russian airstrikes. Previously known as home to many of the world’s most treasured historical sites, now many artifacts were destroyed by the Islamic state forces in an anti iconoclastic purge. Now, Joseph Eid, a photographer for AFP news agency who took photos of the site just two years ago, has posted before-and-after images of the damage done by the terrorist attack.

“Of course the Temple of Bel will never be the same,” Syria’s antiquities and historical monuments director, Mamoun Abdulkarim, told the Times Of Israel. “According to our experts, we will definitely be able to restore a third of the destroyed cella, or maybe even more if we carry out additional studies with UNESCO’s help…I invite archaeologists and experts everywhere to come work with us because this site is part of the ancient history and heritage of all humanity.”

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    Temple of Bel before and after it was destroyed by Isis in September 2015

    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-14

    The Arc de Triomphe (Triumph’s Arch)

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    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-118

    The Temple of Bel dated back to 32AD

    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-12

    Security officials at the same temple site

    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-18

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    The Temple of Baal Shamin seen used to be visible through these two columns

    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-113

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    The remains of Temple of Bel’s “Cella”

    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-11

    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-112

    Ruins of a statue in the Palmyra museum

    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-115

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    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-110

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    Picture taken in the Palymra museum showing defaced sculptures

    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-114

    before-after-isis-destroyed-monuments-palmyra-16

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    Julija Nėjė

    Julija Nėjė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    I joined Bored Panda as an image editor back in 2014, during its early stages. It's been quite a journey since then! Over time, I transitioned through different roles until I eventually became the Content Lead. In this position, I now oversee the creation of the viral content published here on Bored Panda. While my primary focus lies in raising awareness about important social issues like gender and race equality, as well as mental health topics, I also enjoy sharing lighter content, such as memes, cat images and intriguing world curiosities. Outside of work, you'll likely find me engaged in one of five activities: planning a vacation, browsing thrift stores, experimenting in the kitchen, watching movies, or spending quality time with my two cats.

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    Julija Nėjė

    Julija Nėjė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I joined Bored Panda as an image editor back in 2014, during its early stages. It's been quite a journey since then! Over time, I transitioned through different roles until I eventually became the Content Lead. In this position, I now oversee the creation of the viral content published here on Bored Panda. While my primary focus lies in raising awareness about important social issues like gender and race equality, as well as mental health topics, I also enjoy sharing lighter content, such as memes, cat images and intriguing world curiosities. Outside of work, you'll likely find me engaged in one of five activities: planning a vacation, browsing thrift stores, experimenting in the kitchen, watching movies, or spending quality time with my two cats.

    What do you think ?
    Anastasia
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    so easy to destroy if you haven't built anything

    Jkcanewton
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reason alone should be a reason to wipe ISIS out!!!!

    KatinkaMin
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There will always be ignorant and crazy extremists. You cant just wipe them out, because that will just create more of them. you can only try and cut of thier supply: their money, the people that flock to them, their communication. Isis is a Symptom and we in 'the west' have taken part in creating the problem.

    Load More Replies...
    ArnoudLievers
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is painfull indeed. Still it feels silly to worry about the ancient art, when you hear about what they do to the people. http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35728424 this is the story from a man in Raqqa

    MikiNyckel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We focus on what they're doing to the people already, and that's good. I mean, good that it is made known. However, it's also good to see the other destruction as well. To show an all around view of their path of destruction. Anything to help every person stand against them.

    Load More Replies...
    GlynisLailann
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so sad, but at the same time - It all boils down to education doesn't it? If you don't know about history and archaeology, you wont understand why it is so important to preserve it.

    TrishDavey
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are terrorists and vandals of the worst kind by destroying everything that was built before Mohammed, they should be wiped off the face of this earth :(

    PolarBear
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can Anyone Explain To Me Why Some People Or Groups Would Destroy Something Because They Believe It Bothers Imaginary Friend? What IDIOTS!!!!

    SusannaVesna
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Art & history is usually destroyed by half-wits who could never do anything similar themselves! I am glad this post puts in a good word for what Russia & official Syrian armies have been doing- fighting ISIS, may Allah burn them in hell!

    ShaherisSuhel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They WILL. i am muslim and i am proud to muslim. But this aHoles who say they are following islam certainly not one. Becoz there is no such a thing in islam or in holy book of islam. They will sure burn in hell for eternity. Becoz murder is the biggest sin in islam after dishonesty towards religion. And these people doing both. So they WILL AND I PRAY FOR IT.

    Load More Replies...
    RonaldFerreira
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    worship god with the torn down temple since they dont want anyone worshiping him and not isis.

    Michel Guntern
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thankfully there are some visual record of the beauty that was.

    prestoli
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They survived all that time but evil still destroyed them. So sad.

    DanielDaly
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We must remind the world that these useless animals have NO purpose on earth!! Send them to HE'LL !!!

    JohnMartin
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As sad as this is, unfortunately this is nothing new. Christians were destroying temples and Egyptian monuments/sculptures, and hieroglyphics as early as the 3,4, and 5th centuries.

    ClayLK
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    However, back then, they were of abundance, and the Christians were not doing it because of a motive to destroy everything

    Load More Replies...
    Mirriam Banda
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the last one is just heart breaking

    Sebastian Ionescu
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is 100% the WORK OF ZIONIST JEWS INFESTING MY AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. When people don't place the blame exactly where it belongs then these wars will go on forever. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE THIS TERRORISM IS COMING FROM? It's located in a building housing AIPAC war mongering jews here in America. You people of the world want wars in the Middle East to end? Now you know where the wars are originating from. At that building ZIONIST JEWS INFESTING AMERICA COME UP WITH WAR POLICIES FOR THE MIDDLE EAST. NOW YOU KNOW.

    Kozmic Karma Koala (Sweet Koala of Mirth)
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you, this was the first composite of before and after pics. It gave me a headache. I was due to go to Syria in 2010 .

    Luckysafehaven David Joyce
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If these ISIS heathens can do this to your country your history why would anyone want to support them! What happens to them would be to capture them all make them work to rebuild your country.. I am sure we have technology they can put them all to sleep and when they wake up its surprise you now are working for us! Common the World has many modern Weapons you can not tell me they can not put a bunch of people to sleep instead having to bomb them! Just Saying!

    Ngadhnjim Fetiu
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AFTER ISIS? Well with full honesty I must tell you to f**k yourself very much. ISIS just continued the path. Asad, Russia, US, UK, France these are the bitches to blame more then the f*****g ISIS.

    Nsanonim
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They kept this historical things for so many years and then someone comes and in a second destroys this city full of art..

    Gazi Farhad
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every thing negative happening in this world now is the conspiracy Zionist billionaires with their some sole mate in Australia, Britain, France, and Saudi Arabia.

    ErrolCollins
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not the same photo's, it's a con to make you believe that these pagan devil temples where destroyed so they can build replicas of the arch way In over 1000 major city's world wide in honour of Baal.

    AgnisSaffron
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You want to terminate ISIS then go pure medieval .

    LeroRay
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is what happens any time the US invades another country in the name of some bu***it

    MikiNyckel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    An amazing under taking you've done! We see all the disgusting violence and hatred towards people, we haven't really seen all this destruction they cause as well. History is in the architecture :( Terribly sad. Thanks for opening people's eyes to that too!

    Chidu
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is very very painful to see such remnants of the ancient cultures, which is the cradle of civilisation and origin of mankind, destroyed. Not a bit of consideration to the herculean efforts that the archaeologists and historians would have undertaken to preserve such monuments. Wiping these structures off doesn't have any justification, whatever may be their agenda.

    LoganBanks
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isis is nothing but blood sucking parasites. Shut them out and build a stronger community. Defense is our offense in this battle.

    JohnLinez
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    destroy the every thing is Syria but so sad because if you want make again then spend more time and more money.

    HazelWaring
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The buildings don't seem in a particularly good state to begin with - I wonder if they're going to "restore" them to their previous ruined state or actually restore them to their original magnificence? It seems a shame to go half hearted on something that will just weather away again so I hope they go the whole hog!

    RaajaAnandhan
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Waste Fellows. They don't know what they are doing. Idiots. From Indianmagz

    HeatherMcGuire
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should rename themselves "Eye-Sores" for who they are and what they make.

    JohnWesson
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Capture as many as possible and tell them to put it back together!

    TylerAllen
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd say the devastation inflicted by the war on the humans on the ground in Syria is heartbreaking. This deserves a lesser adjectice

    JerieRagsac
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    what gives? there's nothing much left in the before photos. I'd be sad if it was, like, the pyramids or karnak temple that was destroyed because theyre on my bucketlist. But a couple of standing stones that doesnt even resemble anything important isnt much of a loss. You can always put the stones back together (after killing all the ISIS of course)

    JasminkaTanner
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    That's exactly what I was going to say

    Load More Replies...
    Anastasia
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    so easy to destroy if you haven't built anything

    Jkcanewton
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reason alone should be a reason to wipe ISIS out!!!!

    KatinkaMin
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There will always be ignorant and crazy extremists. You cant just wipe them out, because that will just create more of them. you can only try and cut of thier supply: their money, the people that flock to them, their communication. Isis is a Symptom and we in 'the west' have taken part in creating the problem.

    Load More Replies...
    ArnoudLievers
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is painfull indeed. Still it feels silly to worry about the ancient art, when you hear about what they do to the people. http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35728424 this is the story from a man in Raqqa

    MikiNyckel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We focus on what they're doing to the people already, and that's good. I mean, good that it is made known. However, it's also good to see the other destruction as well. To show an all around view of their path of destruction. Anything to help every person stand against them.

    Load More Replies...
    GlynisLailann
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so sad, but at the same time - It all boils down to education doesn't it? If you don't know about history and archaeology, you wont understand why it is so important to preserve it.

    TrishDavey
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are terrorists and vandals of the worst kind by destroying everything that was built before Mohammed, they should be wiped off the face of this earth :(

    PolarBear
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can Anyone Explain To Me Why Some People Or Groups Would Destroy Something Because They Believe It Bothers Imaginary Friend? What IDIOTS!!!!

    SusannaVesna
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Art & history is usually destroyed by half-wits who could never do anything similar themselves! I am glad this post puts in a good word for what Russia & official Syrian armies have been doing- fighting ISIS, may Allah burn them in hell!

    ShaherisSuhel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They WILL. i am muslim and i am proud to muslim. But this aHoles who say they are following islam certainly not one. Becoz there is no such a thing in islam or in holy book of islam. They will sure burn in hell for eternity. Becoz murder is the biggest sin in islam after dishonesty towards religion. And these people doing both. So they WILL AND I PRAY FOR IT.

    Load More Replies...
    RonaldFerreira
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    worship god with the torn down temple since they dont want anyone worshiping him and not isis.

    Michel Guntern
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thankfully there are some visual record of the beauty that was.

    prestoli
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They survived all that time but evil still destroyed them. So sad.

    DanielDaly
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We must remind the world that these useless animals have NO purpose on earth!! Send them to HE'LL !!!

    JohnMartin
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As sad as this is, unfortunately this is nothing new. Christians were destroying temples and Egyptian monuments/sculptures, and hieroglyphics as early as the 3,4, and 5th centuries.

    ClayLK
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    However, back then, they were of abundance, and the Christians were not doing it because of a motive to destroy everything

    Load More Replies...
    Mirriam Banda
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the last one is just heart breaking

    Sebastian Ionescu
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is 100% the WORK OF ZIONIST JEWS INFESTING MY AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. When people don't place the blame exactly where it belongs then these wars will go on forever. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE THIS TERRORISM IS COMING FROM? It's located in a building housing AIPAC war mongering jews here in America. You people of the world want wars in the Middle East to end? Now you know where the wars are originating from. At that building ZIONIST JEWS INFESTING AMERICA COME UP WITH WAR POLICIES FOR THE MIDDLE EAST. NOW YOU KNOW.

    Kozmic Karma Koala (Sweet Koala of Mirth)
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you, this was the first composite of before and after pics. It gave me a headache. I was due to go to Syria in 2010 .

    Luckysafehaven David Joyce
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If these ISIS heathens can do this to your country your history why would anyone want to support them! What happens to them would be to capture them all make them work to rebuild your country.. I am sure we have technology they can put them all to sleep and when they wake up its surprise you now are working for us! Common the World has many modern Weapons you can not tell me they can not put a bunch of people to sleep instead having to bomb them! Just Saying!

    Ngadhnjim Fetiu
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AFTER ISIS? Well with full honesty I must tell you to f**k yourself very much. ISIS just continued the path. Asad, Russia, US, UK, France these are the bitches to blame more then the f*****g ISIS.

    Nsanonim
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They kept this historical things for so many years and then someone comes and in a second destroys this city full of art..

    Gazi Farhad
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every thing negative happening in this world now is the conspiracy Zionist billionaires with their some sole mate in Australia, Britain, France, and Saudi Arabia.

    ErrolCollins
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not the same photo's, it's a con to make you believe that these pagan devil temples where destroyed so they can build replicas of the arch way In over 1000 major city's world wide in honour of Baal.

    AgnisSaffron
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You want to terminate ISIS then go pure medieval .

    LeroRay
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is what happens any time the US invades another country in the name of some bu***it

    MikiNyckel
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    An amazing under taking you've done! We see all the disgusting violence and hatred towards people, we haven't really seen all this destruction they cause as well. History is in the architecture :( Terribly sad. Thanks for opening people's eyes to that too!

    Chidu
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is very very painful to see such remnants of the ancient cultures, which is the cradle of civilisation and origin of mankind, destroyed. Not a bit of consideration to the herculean efforts that the archaeologists and historians would have undertaken to preserve such monuments. Wiping these structures off doesn't have any justification, whatever may be their agenda.

    LoganBanks
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isis is nothing but blood sucking parasites. Shut them out and build a stronger community. Defense is our offense in this battle.

    JohnLinez
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    destroy the every thing is Syria but so sad because if you want make again then spend more time and more money.

    HazelWaring
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The buildings don't seem in a particularly good state to begin with - I wonder if they're going to "restore" them to their previous ruined state or actually restore them to their original magnificence? It seems a shame to go half hearted on something that will just weather away again so I hope they go the whole hog!

    RaajaAnandhan
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Waste Fellows. They don't know what they are doing. Idiots. From Indianmagz

    HeatherMcGuire
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should rename themselves "Eye-Sores" for who they are and what they make.

    JohnWesson
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Capture as many as possible and tell them to put it back together!

    TylerAllen
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd say the devastation inflicted by the war on the humans on the ground in Syria is heartbreaking. This deserves a lesser adjectice

    JerieRagsac
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    what gives? there's nothing much left in the before photos. I'd be sad if it was, like, the pyramids or karnak temple that was destroyed because theyre on my bucketlist. But a couple of standing stones that doesnt even resemble anything important isnt much of a loss. You can always put the stones back together (after killing all the ISIS of course)

    JasminkaTanner
    Community Member
    9 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    That's exactly what I was going to say

    Load More Replies...
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