NEST 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Lapis Lazuli, Abu Muhammad Al-Hasan Al-Hamdani, Iron Age
27 Feb 2019
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Document Summary
In the dhi qar province of southern iraq). Cm #12 al hamdani has been appointed to governor of antiquities over all of iraq - oversees everything. Looters mainly wanted cuneiform tablets , statues and anything made of gold or lapis lazuli. Military installations heavily damage sites like tell na"am. Increase in the number of cemeteries - typically placed on tells because they are mounds - cover the sites in recent times. Destroys architecture because it is not seen as valuable. Ruins historical context of the items and the site. ie. we don"t know anything about the library where a cuneiform tablet was situated, or items it was situated with. Destroys objects that are deemed less valuable (ie. undecorated pottery). People buying them - antiquities collectors or tourists. Some of the pro ts from looting in syria went towards funding isis. Grew in importance because it was in the middle of several important trade routes.
