Timely essays from experienced contributors examine the damage recent
conflict has caused to cultural heritage, and how it may best be
safeguarded in future.
Laurie Rush, a senior archeologist with the U.S. Army, has assembled a
seminal book on the threat to important cultural sites from combat
operations, and none too soon. Spurred by the tragic and unnecessary
loss of artefacts andarchaeology from the invasion of Iraq, she and her
colleagues make a persuasive case that a minimum of common sense can not
only protect this shared heritage but also enhance the likelihood that a
military mission will succeed, and with fewer casualties. This book
should be required reading for senior military and civilian leaders, not
just in the United States but throughout the world, who are able to
initiate the training and education necessary to ensure that planning
and targeting personnel will be able to identify significant sites and
take every reasonable step to avoid damaging them. RICHARD MOE,
PROFESSOR EMERITUS, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, US
From Lawrence of Arabia to the Monuments Men to the contributors within
this volume, academic scholars have found themselves engaged in conflict
areas, in topics involving conflict, and in unlikely partnerships with
military professionals. Motives and methods have varied dramatically
over the years, but the over-riding theme of this volume is stewardship.
In each case, an author has encountered a situation where their
expertise has offered the potential tohelp save archaeological
properties, historical structures, and sacred places - or has documented
the process. Drawing on major contributions from seven armed forces,
amongst others, this book aims to set out the obligations to protect
cultural heritage under international Conventions; provide a series of
case studies of current military practice; and outline the current
efforts to enhance this. Overall, it offers examples, anecdotes, and
lessons learnedthat can be used for consideration in planning future
efforts for global archaeological stewardship.
Contributors: Patty Gerstenblith, Krysia Spirydowicz, Julian Radcliffe,
Corine Wegener, Joris Kila, Martin Brown, JamesZeidler, Laurie Rush,
Paul R. Green, Darrell C. Pinckney, Diane C. Siebrandt, Hugo Clarke,
Friedrich Schipper, Franz Schuller, Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, Holger
Eichberger, Erich Frank, Norbert Fürstenhofer, Stephan Zellmeyer, Sarah
Parcak
