Stolen Artifacts Originating from Syria Found on Facebook's Marketplace for Sale

In the heart of the Fertile Crescent, an ancient city that dates back to the 3rd century BCE, Palmyra stands as a testament to human civilization. However, this UNESCO World Heritage site is under threat, as looted artifacts from the city and other archaeological sites in Syria are increasingly appearing for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

Over the past decade, conflict and instability have driven widespread looting of historical artifacts across Syria. Thousands of items, ranging from prehistoric periods to the Islamic era, have been stolen and sold on the black market. Despite efforts to enforce bans on selling historical artifacts online, enforcement remains challenging amid ongoing conflict and smuggling networks.

NGOs and archaeologists have taken action to protect Syria's cultural heritage. Secret operations have been conducted to rescue and secure thousands of artifacts, with plans for their eventual transfer to local museums. Approximately 7,400 artifacts have been safely stored, signaling a positive step in cultural heritage preservation.

However, the prevalence of looted artifacts on platforms like Facebook Marketplace highlights the difficulty in completely stopping illegal sales online. This illicit trade severely undermines Syria’s cultural heritage by removing artifacts from their context, encouraging further looting, and depriving the region of its historical patrimony.

The looting of artifacts in Palmyra has reportedly surged following the overthrow of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad by rebels in December. Thieves are robbing graves and listing the funerary gold and artifacts they take on Facebook Marketplace. The speed of sales ranges from 100,000 to 900,000 people, with mosaics being sold in as little as two weeks, according to Katie Paul of the ATHAR Project.

The Syrian government has threatened jail sentences of up to 15 years and finder's fees for those caught looting artifacts. However, their efforts have been more focused on rebuilding following the recent political fracture, leaving limited resources available for the protection of archaeological heritage.

Facebook Marketplace users in Syria may find artifacts that may have been looted. Despite Facebook banning the sale of historical artifacts in 2020, the platform has emerged as a hub for the sale of looted antiquities. The policy is not enforced strictly enough to deter looters, allowing the illicit trade to persist and negatively impact cultural heritage.

Amr al-Azm, a professor at Shawnee State University, stated that there was a breakdown of any constraints controlling looting after the regime's fall. The ATHAR Project, which tracks trafficked Middle Eastern antiquities, noted that nearly one-third of its Syrian cases occurred in December. The policy banning the sale of historical artifacts on Facebook is not enforced strictly enough to deter looters.

The looting of artifacts, along with widespread poverty affecting 90 percent of Syria's population, puts the country's cultural heritage in danger of being lost and destroyed by those looking for a quick buck. The ongoing tension between efforts to preserve Syria's ancient heritage and the damaging effects of conflict-fueled looting and online illicit sales underscores the need for increased protection and enforcement.