Antiquities on the Auction Block: Facebook's Role in Syria's Treasure Trove Heist

The collapse of the once-formidable Syrian security system has turned the nation into a wild west of archaeological theft, as looters delve deep into its historical layers. Under the pale moonlight, the ancient sands of Palmyra are unwitting witnesses to clandestine operations, where treasures are unearthed not for preservation but profit.

The Plight of Palmyra

Once a rich tapestry of history, Palmyra’s landscape is now scarred by three-meter-deep holes that dot its expanse. These are the handiwork of grave robbers, driven by desperation and the promise of lucrative finds. Mohammed al-Fares, a tireless activist with Heritage for Peace, mournfully surveys the disfigured antiquities, lamenting the irreversible mixing of historical layers which once told tales of civilizations long gone.

A Surge in Smuggling

The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad has led to a virtual explosion in the trafficking of antiquities. According to the Antiquities Trafficking and Heritage Anthropology Research Project (ATHAR), a third of Syria’s smuggling cases have emerged post-revolution, illustrating an unprecedented gold rush in the shadow of poverty.

Katie Paul, director of the Tech Transparency Project, calls the surge “the biggest flood of antiquities trafficking from any country, ever.” In a world where ancient mosaics once took years to sell, the virtual marketplace has fast-tracked transactions, some completing in mere weeks.

Facebook’s Shadow Marketplace

Facebook’s platform, despite its policy against the sale of historical artifacts, has inadvertently become a haven for traffickers, where ancient gems are auctioned to the highest bidder. Despite Meta’s official stance against this illicit trade, the reality shows these policies rarely reaching enforcement.

With thousands of members dedicated to the smuggling network, the platform acts as a bridge from Syria to international markets, trafficking artefacts from remote ruins to renowned auction houses.

A Call for Accountability

In Damascus, government efforts to curb the looting are stunted by a lack of resources. While Syria grapples with the monumental challenge of rebuilding, experts emphasize that the responsibility rests on the global buyer—primarily Western collectors and institutions.

The sentiment is echoed by Amr al-Azm of Shawnee State University: “To stop this, we must stop the demand in the West. Climate improvement in Syria won’t happen overnight. Addressing the buyers will.”

Guardians of the Past

Amongst the chaos stand individuals like Fares, who vow to protect their heritage. Under the veiled cover of night, they refuse to let looters rob what little history remains untainted after wars and decades of turmoil. As Syria wrestles with its future, a poignant question lingers—will its past survive unscathed?

According to The Guardian, the situation persists, reflecting a broader dilemma of precious legacies vanishing into obscurity, powered by an ever-thirsty demand from afar.