EX NOVO Vol. 2 (2017)

Who Owns the Past? Archaeological Heritage between Idealization and Destruction

Ex Novo Nr. 2 Cover Image ‘Metropolis’ @ courtesy of Daniel Egneus

On the 23 August 2015 Daesh blew up the 2,000-year-old Baal-Shamin temple of the World-famous Greco-Roman site of Palmyra. This fact, which soon became an iconic moment for the West, triggered a reflection initially directed toward the destruction of archeological heritage caused by armed conflict. Earlier, the destruction of Buddhas of Bamiyan’s in Afghanistan, and the Iraqi museums ransacking and looting are among the most famous examples of heritage destruction that caused a wave of disdain in the western world. UNESCO defined the deliberate destruction of Syria’s cultural heritage a war crime and the academic world has launched several projects aiming at preserving endangered archaeological heritage. At the same time, antiquities trafficking from Syria and Iraq to Europe and USA represents one of the most relevant revenues for the Islamic State.

These second issue of Ex Novo Journal of Archaeology seeks to critically address the notion of appropriation and ownership of the past and its material remains, as well as the impact of a globalized scientific archaeology in this process of appropriation.

Papers explore the various ways in which the past is remembered, recovered, created, and used. Particular emphasis is placed on the discussion of the role played by archaeology in present-day conflicts and its function as peacekeeping tool or war weapon. Moreover, definitions of and critical approaches to archaeological heritage in relationship to politics do constitute the common thread running through all contributions.

The second issue of Ex Novo is fully available on line on our website as well as on our publisher webpages, Archaeopress, where you can also purchase the printed version!

List of Contents

Editorial

Who Owns the Past? Archaeological Heritage between Idealisation and Destruction

Maja GORI, Alessandro PINTUCCI, Martina REVELLO LAMI,
DOI:
ISSN: 2531-8810
Published online: 28 December 2017
ISBN: 978-1-78491-763-0
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Remembering Beirut: lessons for archaeology and (post-)conflict urban redevelopment in Aleppo

Caroline A. SANDES
DOI:
ISSN: 2531-8810
Published online: 28 December 2017
ISBN 978-1-78491-763-0
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Reconstructing Cultural Heritage in Conflict Zones: Should Palmyra be Rebuilt?

Nour A. MUNAWAR
DOI:
ISSN: 2531-8810
Published online: 28 December 2017
ISBN: 978-1-78491-763-0
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The rights of reproducing Cultural Heritage in the digital Era. An Italian Perspective

Augusto PALOMBINI
DOI:
ISSN: 2531-8810
Published online: 28 December 2017
ISBN: 978-1-78491-763-0
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Frontiers of Romania: Nationalism and the Ideological Space of the Roman Limes

Emily R. HANSCAM
DOI:
ISSN: 2531-8810
Published online: 28 December 2017
ISBN: 978-1-78491-763-0
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Thracology and Nationalism in Bulgaria – Deconstructing Contemporaneous Historical and Archaeological Representations

Ivan MARINOV & Nicolas ZORZIN
DOI:
ISSN: 2531-8810
Published online: 28 December 2017
ISBN: 978-1-78491-763-0
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Reviews

Museo Federico II Stupor Mundi. Palazzo Ghislieri, Piazza Federico II, 3, 60035 Jesi (AN)

Reviewed by Rachele Dubbini

DOI:
ISSN: 2531-8810
Published online: 28 December 2017
ISBN: 978-1-78491-763-0
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UNESCO Experts’ Meeting on the Safeguarding of Syria’s heritage. Berlin, 2-4 June 2016

Reviewed by Nour A. MUNAWAR