UNESCO: Ruins in Ancient Syrian City Still Authentic
This photo released pm March 28, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows some damage at the ancient ruins of Palmyra, central Syria.
The United Nations cultural agency says the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra retains much of its authenticity despite the extensive damage it has sustained at the hands of Islamic State fighters.
"The mission considered that, despite the destruction of several iconic edifices, the archaeological site of Palmyra retains a large part of its integrity and authenticity," UNESCO said in a statement.
Museum damage
UNESCO experts, accompanied by U.N. security, inspected the Palmyra museum and the archaeological site. They found considerable damage to many of the museum's statues and sarcophagi that were too large to be removed for safekeeping.
At the archeological site, the experts found parts of an ancient avenue and courtyard were intact.
The inspectors devoted a minute of silence to the victims who were murdered at the Roman Amphitheater, which IS used for public executions.
The cultural agency will have another team of experts conduct a more thorough examination of the ancient city before recommending preservation measures. UNESCO will present its full report on the site in July to the World Heritage Committee annual meeting in Istanbul, Turkey.
IS held Palmyra, northeast of the capital of Damascus, for nearly a year before it was recaptured by Syrian forces last month.
In pictures - The ancient city of Palmyra
Ancient City of Palmyra, Syria
1/11In this undated photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows the site of the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
2/11FILE - This undated file image released by UNESCO shows the site of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
3/11This photo released on Sunday March 27, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows destroyed statues at the damaged Palmyra Museum, in Palmyra city, central Syria.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
4/11This photo released on Sunday March 27, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows destroyed statues at the damaged Palmyra Museum, in Palmyra city, central Syria.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
5/11This photo released on Sunday March 27, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows a general view of Palmyra citadel, central Syria.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
6/11This photo released on Sunday March 27, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows a general view of Palmyra, central Syria.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
7/11The demolition of ancient monuments like this colonnade in the historical city of Palmyra, Syria was targeted by the Islamic State group and among cultural sites destroyed in 2015.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
8/11One of the original renderings of the 3D model of Temple Bell, in Palmyra, made from Bassel Khartabil photographs. (Bassel, New Palmyra.org)
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
9/11In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a Syrian soldier holds a Syrian national flag in front of the Palmyra citadel, March 27, 2016.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
10/11FILE - This file photo released on Sunday, May 17, 2015, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows the general view of the ancient Roman city of Palmyra, northeast of Damascus, Syria.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
11/11In this photo released on March 24, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian government soldiers gather outside a damaged palace, in Palmyra, central Syria.
Backed by Russian airstrikes, pro-Syrian forces reclaimed control of the ancient city of Palmyra after a 10-month Islamic State occupation that included the destruction of several monuments dating back nearly 2,000 years.
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