In contested areas of Syria, thousands of archaeological sites are being systematically looted by unknown parties, the treasures sold off, disappearing into the black market. ISIS has infamously looted and destroyed a number of sites over the past few years—but they are not alone. A recent study in the journal Near Eastern Archaeology analyzed satellite imagery and found that significant looting took place in territory controlled by ISIS, the Syrian government, Kurdish forces, and other opposition groups, nearly equally. Below, a close look at one hard-hit site, Apamea, a city founded in 300 B.C. According to the study, the looting in Apamea appears to have taken place while it was occupied by Syrian regime forces. The final four images in this series are interactive—click on them to view a transition, showing the difference a few years can make.
A split satellite view of the archaeological site of Apamea, Syria. On the left side, how the site appeared in July of 2011, just months after the conflict in Syria began, and on the right, how the site appeared on May 2, 2014, pockmarked by thousands of holes dug by looters using hand tools and heavy machinery.#
How the ruins at Apamea appeared recently, before the civil war and looting. Thought the city was founded in 300 B.C., most of its remaining structures date back to the late Roman Republic, about 100 B.C.#
The Kalat el-Mudik castle in Apamea, Syria, photographed in February of 2006. The ruins of the castle have reportedly been heavily damaged by looters in recent years.#
A pair of satellite views of Apamea, the first showing ruins of several structures, including the Eastern Cathedral at right, from July 20, 2011, and the second (click to fade) from April 4, 2012, less than a year later. Hundreds of holes have been dug by looters, who may have made off with countless artifacts. [Click image to view transition]#
A pair of satellite views of Apamea's cardo maximus, or main road. The first shows how the site appeared on July 20, 2011, and the second (click to fade) shows the moonscape the site had become by May 2, 2014. [Click image to view transition]#
A pair of satellite views of central Apamea. The first shows how the site appeared on July 20, 2011, and the second (click to fade) shows the damage done by widespread excavations by April 4, 2012. [Click image to view transition]#
A pair of satellite views of Apamea's North gate (at left) and parts of the Great Colonnade. The first shows how the site appeared on July 20, 2011, and the second (click to fade) shows the moonscape the site had become by May 2, 2014. [Click image to view transition]#
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