The preservation of ancient cities is more than just the conservation of individual monuments

Two recent articles in The New York Times have focused on the conservation of ancient cities– one on the successfully completed rebuilding of the old city of Aleppo, Syria and the other on the recently restarted conservation of the site of ancient Babylon. Rather than just conserve individual monuments, both projects have taken into consideration the needs of local residents and the economic impact of conservation.

The full texts of the articles can be read at:

“Preserving Heritage, and the Fabric of Life, in Syria”

“After Ravages of TIme and War, Triage to Save Ruins and Babylon”

A bas-relief on a wall at Babylon