The Antiquities Scholar that Said No to ISIS Beheaded

Famous Syrian antiquities scholar, Khaled Al-Asaad  also known as the Howard Carter of Palmyra, was beheaded by the Islamic State last Tuesday at the age of 82 after being held and interrogated by the militant group due to his constant refusal to reveal the safe haven of moved artifacts.

The terrorist group has been known for their gruesome killings and illegal trade with and destruction of monuments, so one can only imagine the amount of torture this dedicated scholar must have gone through in his days of captivation and questioning, and the amount of power and self-control it must have taken him to stand against them despite the odds and the keep the place of the valuable antiquities a secret.

This heroic man who preferred the safe-keeping of his country's history and culture over his own life, had been working for over 50 years as the head of antiquities in Palmyra, reveals antiquities chief Maamoun Abdulkarim. “Just imagine that such a scholar who gave such memorable services to the place and to history would be beheaded … and his corpse still hanging from one of the ancient columns in the center of a square in Palmyra,” Abdulkarim speaks of the late brave man. He continues, mourning the loss of a great mind who knew everything about these monuments and how such great knowledge and loyalty are lost to them forever.