Missing: 5,000 years of history

The Boston Globe ^ | 4/21/2003 | Thanassis Cambanis and Charles M. Sennott

[Radix]

BABYLON, Iraq -- The roots of Western law and writing sprang from the Mesopotamian cradle of civilization here, the site of the resplendent Hanging Gardens of Babylon -- one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The palace of Hammurabi and King Nebuchadnezzar -- like antiquities throughout this country -- has met a fate that has devastated Iraqis and archeologists throughout the world.

[Radix]

The roots of Western law and writing sprang from the Mesopotamian cradle of civilization here,

I perceive that scholars were indeed involved in the writing of this article.

Oh those wonderful Babylonians.

Can't we all just get along?

[raybbr]

I am so sick of hearing about this. I really don't care.

[Larry Lucido]

Babylon was the capital of the world, the mother of all laws. They knew how to rule

My goodness. How ever will we survive?

[Billthedrill]

Yeh, this whole thing's long on agonizing and very short on scholarship. The actual dig sites, contrary to what the article implies, weren't touched. The museum had a few high-value items stolen that will certainly turn up on the black market - what else do you do with a 300 kilogram carving? Those cuneiform tablets that actually were damaged had been recorded and cataloged prior to exhibit. Too bad about the harp of Ur, but for Pete's sake, was it anything more than a curiosity? Can anyone really pretend that its loss is irreparable cultural harm?

[skeeter]

I'm with you, but PBS listeners are still outraged.

They've been seen gnashing their teeth in coffee shops around the country, some reportedly spilled their chai.

[Radix]

You and I are in accord, I think.

This is the BS that is being fed to those among us that are not so discerning.

I find it to be stupid and nonsensical. This is what the Left is reduced to.

They are bitching about the loss of Museum artifacts (whatever) to persons who do not go to Museums, by and large.

Those who do get caught up in the horror of the lost treasures from antiquity, are already in their corner.

I do not know that as fact, but I sense that is the case.

[IronJack]

Funny, I don't miss them at all.

[what's up]

The loss of the artifacts is sad, sure. I'm fascinated by this stuff, especially since the discovery of it validates the authencity of the Bible. However, the loss of life is more tragic than the loss of artifacts.

However, I am also excited by the possibility of new stuff being found now that Iraq will be a more open society. I for one would love to see Nineveh one day, if a good tourist industry can be developed.

[Cicero]

Oh, horse manure. I seriously doubt that many artifacts were stolen in the recent looting. Saddam may well have made off with them earlier.

The fact is, Mesopotamian civilization--the legacy of Assyria, Babylon, and Persia--was destroyed by the Muslim invaders, who also destroyed Egyptian civilization and, some might argue, Greek civilization. Muslims overran all of North Africa, the Middle East, and Constantinople, and in their wake they left a mess of slums.

[Political Junkie Too]

Where was this kind of outrage when the Clinton Library committee bulldozed the last remaining slave-building of its kind (and a registered national landmark) to make way for the Clinton Library (Clinton Library Plans to Bulldoze Slave Landmark)?

Was that piece of history not worthy of preserving?

-PJ

[MizSterious]

Hey, far better to have toddlers uncared for in prisons than to lose all this loot history....(at least, as far as some of these people are concerned)

[Billthedrill]

You're absolutely right, of course...and what they didn't get the Mongols flattened in the 13th century AD. Now them boys knew how to pillage!

[Dog Gone]

The roots of Western law and writing sprang from the Mesopotamian cradle of civilization here

Yes, Hammurabi's Code was important law.

Excerpt:

109: If conspirators meet in the house of a [woman wine-seller], and these conspirators are not captured and delivered to the court, the [wine-seller] shall be put to death.

110: If a "sister of a god"[nun] open a tavern, or enter a tavern to drink, then shall this woman be burned to death.

Of course, it's written on a stone slab which is the Louvre, in Paris, and it hasn't been looted yet.

[geedee]

Missing: 5,000 years of history

And a scumbag who murdered 500,000 Iraqi innocents. Now THAT's a good trade!

[rwfok]

I've often wondered what cultural and historical antiquities were damaged during NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia. If any were lost or destroyed, I don't recall reading about it.

[geedee]

[Rodney King]

Can't we all just get along?

Please see my tagline.

[MEG33]

Exactly.I try to keep my priorities straight.The thefts are unfortunate.The liberation of a children's prison is stunning.I wonder if the hand wringers even noticed?

[Luna]

Couldn't resist posting something about Babylon from the Bible for some irreverent humor.

Rev. 18: 21
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Due to looting perhaps?

[Inyokern]

The fact is, Mesopotamian civilization--the legacy of Assyria, Babylon, and Persia--was destroyed by the Muslim invaders, who also destroyed Egyptian civilization and, some might argue, Greek civilization. Muslims overran all of North Africa, the Middle East, and Constantinople, and in their wake they left a mess of slums.

The Muslims are looting the Temple Mount in Jerusalem even today.