In March 2015, the Department of Homeland Security returned more than 60 artifacts to Iraq that had been smuggled to the United States. The Smithsonian, better known for museums ringing the Mall, is one of a half-dozen agencies cited in a Government Accountability Office report on the “Protection of Iraqi and Syrian Antiquities.” Smithsonian experts provide cultural property protection training in countries facing war or natural disasters. “To prevent destruction, the Smithsonian and others trained Syrian antiquities professionals to use sandbags and other materials to protect ancient mosaics at a Syrian museum, reportedly resulting in the successful protection of the museum collection when it was bombed,” according to the GAO. Brian Daniels, a Smithsonian research associate and director of research and programs at the University of Pennsylvania Museum Cultural Heritage Center, has worked in Syria and Iraq and talked about colleagues there who risk their lives to protect their heritage, which is also the world’s. “The Monuments Men returned more than 5 million works of art to their owners.”Russell said the government has an enduring commitment to protect cultural properties in war-torn Syria and Iraq.

Source: Washington Post August 19, 2016 11:03 UTC