In the news recently, it has been reported that ISIS has been actively destroying world heritage sites within their territory. These include; The Mosul Museum, ancient archaeological sites as Hatra and Nimrud.

I find it saddening that ISIS would destroy archeological sites thousands of years old without realizing that they are of the very early cultures that would have had a profound influence upon the creation and teachings of Islam, and, hypocritically, without realizing they are an integral part of their Muslim heritage.

As a classicist myself, I also find it more saddening that the rest of the world could just sit back and allow this to happen. As an absurd analogy, It would be like if Christians decided to destroy the parthenon, even though it is a marvel of architectural wonder, a symbol of human achievement, and even though ancient Greek philosophy had a profound impact on our culture, simply because the ancient Greeks worshiped Zeus instead of Christ.

On a deeper level, I find it sad because ISIS destroying archaeological sites, ancient art, artifacts, and monuments is just another way of time eroding the accomplishments and our acknowledgement of the past, even if through ignorance and aggression. As the great philosopher Bertrand Russell once said, 'Those who are ignorant of history believe that all of the issues of the day are new.' - And that is exactly the type of ignorance ISIS is trying to perpetuate among its followers.

Furthermore, I find it hard to believe that someone could stand before such an archeological site without stopping to take the time to ponder how people who lived even a few thousand years ago could have had the same feelings and even thoughts as one today, or how the very existence of such a site stands as a measure in the sands of time of how far humanity has come and the direction it is going. But no; down with the old, in with the new, in with ignorance, in with callous disregard, in with hate, in with narrow mindedness and anti-intellectualism.

I posted something about this on my Facebook page and got a comment to the extent of; "I find it far more disturbing that the rest of the world is sitting back and watching as they rape, mutilate, and murder large numbers of people."

The loss of life is one thing, the loss of world heritage sites another, though both are appalling. I don't know what is worse, the senseless killing, or the senseless destruction of historical sites that represent the heritage handed down from millions of people from the past. To destroy that heritage is to effectively wipe out any evidence that those millions of people ever existed; all of their influence, accomplishments, and works of inspiration, gone. It's a kind of retro-historic genocide of millions of people.

This is also the same group that, as we speak, are conspiring to and would stop at nothing to destroy the pyramids of Giza or the Vatican in Rome; the same people that would delight in blowing up the sistine chapel for it's Christian symbolism despite it's testament to human genius.

Historical sites such as Hatra and Nimrud could have been promoted as tourists sites to rake in millions of dollars for any smart government or group that happened to occupy their territory, but ISIS has shown that it is more interested in destruction and conquering, gaining a false sense of power simply because it is easier to destroy than to create.

Furthermore, regardless of our differences or beliefs, it is our culture and heritage as human beings that gives the life we live ample value and meaning. To destroy that shows callous disregard not only for life, but also what it means to be human.

your thoughts and reflections on this tragedy are welcomed.

- RJ