Original research article
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean

Palmyra Museum from 2015 to 2025: an analysis of the destruction trajectory, documentation efforts, protection of cultural heritage amid conflict, and prospects for recovery

35, No. 1

Maamoun Abdulkarim

0000-0002-9740-2844

University of Sharjah, Department of History and Islamic Civilization

DOI

10.37343/uw.2083-537X.pam35.1.01

Publication date

26.10.2026

Submission date

05.08.2025

Acceptance date

20.05.2026

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY-NC 4.0 Int.

Field

Humanities

Discipline

archeology

Language of publication

English

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PDF 2 MB

Article

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Number of downloads:2

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Abstract

In this study, the management and condition of the Palmyra Museum during and after the Islamic State’s (ISIS’s) control of the site in May 2015 are examined. The extensive damage inflicted on the museum’s collection is highlighted, while the proactive emergency measures taken to protect its holdings are also emphasized. Thanks to the efforts of the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), a significant number of statues and artifacts were successfully transferred shortly before the city fell, effectively mitigating potential losses. Following Palmyra’s recapture in March 2016, preservation efforts were redirected toward the remaining objects, leading to additional evacuations. By December 2016, the museum was nearly empty when it came under ISIS control once more. In a positive development, a 3D digital record of the site was created by the French firm Iconem. At the invitation of the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), a Polish archaeological team joined its Syrian counterparts and played a vital role in the joint efforts to document, package, and evacuate the remaining museum artifacts to Homs and Damascus. This paper offers a critical assessment of the museum’s crisis management and showcases the collaborative international efforts that supported the protection of its cultural assets. It concludes with a forward-looking perspective that outlines key priorities for safeguarding and restoring Palmyra’s heritage within a sustainable preservation framework.

Keywords:

Palmyra,cultural heritage,museum,Syrian crisis,destruction,documentation,rehabilitation

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