Smuggler offers allegedly looted Syrian artifacts to CBS News
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmyra is only the latest casualty in the destruction of the world's shared cultural heritage. From Syria to Iraq, ISIS has demolished precious artifacts and archaeological sites. Law enforcement sources and archaeologists tell CBS News that what isn't being destroyed is being sold on a black market that reaches Europe and even the U.S.
This photo is of a mosaic allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News via WhatsApp by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey. Omar claimed he had mosaics freshly ripped from the ground in Syria.
The artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey. These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
According to U.S. Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, who led the the investigation into the looting of the Iraq National Museum in 2003 and now prosecutes antiquities cases as an assistant district attorney, the illegal traffic in looted antiquities is buying the bombs and the bullets that are killing so many.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News via WhatsApp by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey. The smugglers told CBS News' Clarissa Ward they had dug up seven mosaics in the ancient city of Apamea.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News via WhatsApp by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News via WhatsApp by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News via WhatsApp by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News via WhatsApp by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.
Antiquities trafficking
A photograph of antiquity allegedly looted in Syria and offered to CBS News via WhatsApp by a Syrian smuggler named "Omar" based in Turkey.
These artifacts have not been evaluated as to their authenticity.