ISIS and the Destruction of
Cultural Heritage in the Middle East Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Freer and Sackler Galleries
Susan Ackerman ’80
For the first time in a decade, the Smithsonian Institution is displaying the exquisite sculpture of Haliphat to bring attention to the ongoing destruction of ruins in the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria.
“Come and have a look at an object that allows you to reflect on current affairs," says Julian Raby, director of Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler galleries, in the BBC article, "Palmyra: Ruins that Inspired the Architecture of Power.”
Your guide for the evening is Susan Ackerman ’80, Dartmouth’s Preston H. Kelsey Professor in Religion. Ackerman has spoken plainly and passionately about ISIS, referring to them as “ruthlessly opportunistic hypocrites” (The New York Times, March 7) after they bulldozed the ancient city of Nimrud. In an interview with Vermont Public Radio, Ackerman compared some of the destroyed artifacts to Dartmouth’s treasured Assyrian reliefs.
In early September, Ackerman said, “The worst of the worst, surely, are ISIS's barbaric murders of Syrians, Iraqis, and others whose only crime is to hold a different religious or political view than ISIS espouses. But heartbreaking as well is ISIS's destruction of many of the great treasures of Syria's and Iraq's cultural heritage, including, most recently, the destruction of ancient sculptures and buildings at the UNESCO World Heritage site city of Palmyra.”
ISIS militants have also destroyed the ancient Mar Elian monastery in al-Qaryatain and many historic and modern Islamic tombs around Palmyra, monuments that are treasured parts of the cultural heritage of Syria’s people.
In addition to her professorship in religion, Ackerman is professor of women's and gender studies and Jewish studies at Dartmouth, and also president of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR). Learn more about her work.
Program 6:30 p.m Welcome and registration 6:45–7:45 p.m. Presentation by Professor Susan Ackerman 7:45–9:30 p.m. Gallery viewing and reception with hors d'oeuvres and open bar of beer and wine 9:30 p.m. Event concludes
Pricing
Alumni and guests: $75
Classes of 2005–2015: $55
Venue
Freer and Sackler Galleries
1050 Independence Ave SW
Washington, D.C. 20560
This event is hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations, in partnership with the Dartmouth Club of Washington, D.C. To learn more about Dartmouth on Location programs, please contact us at (603) 646-9159 or ar.ace@dartmouth.edu.
Top photo: Haliphat via the Smithsonian Institution