Timely essays from experienced contributors examine the damage recent conflict has caused to cultural heritage, and how it may best be safeguarded in future. Laurie Rush, a senior archeologist with the U.S. Army, has assembled a seminal book on the threat to important cultural sites from combat operations, and none too soon. Spurred by the tragic and unnecessary loss of artefacts andarchaeology from the invasion of Iraq, she and her colleagues make a persuasive case that a minimum of common sense can not only protect this shared heritage but also enhance the likelihood that a military mission will succeed, and with fewer casualties. This book should be required reading for senior military and civilian leaders, not just in the United States but throughout the world, who are able to initiate the training and education necessary to ensure that planning and targeting personnel will be able to identify significant sites and take every reasonable step to avoid damaging them. RICHARD MOE, PROFESSOR EMERITUS, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, US From Lawrence of Arabia to the Monuments Men to the contributors within this volume, academic scholars have found themselves engaged in conflict areas, in topics involving conflict, and in unlikely partnerships with military professionals. Motives and methods have varied dramatically over the years, but the over-riding theme of this volume is stewardship. In each case, an author has encountered a situation where their expertise has offered the potential tohelp save archaeological properties, historical structures, and sacred places - or has documented the process. Drawing on major contributions from seven armed forces, amongst others, this book aims to set out the obligations to protect cultural heritage under international Conventions; provide a series of case studies of current military practice; and outline the current efforts to enhance this. Overall, it offers examples, anecdotes, and lessons learnedthat can be used for consideration in planning future efforts for global archaeological stewardship. Contributors: Patty Gerstenblith, Krysia Spirydowicz, Julian Radcliffe, Corine Wegener, Joris Kila, Martin Brown, JamesZeidler, Laurie Rush, Paul R. Green, Darrell C. Pinckney, Diane C. Siebrandt, Hugo Clarke, Friedrich Schipper, Franz Schuller, Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, Holger Eichberger, Erich Frank, Norbert Furstenhofer, Stephan Zellmeyer,Sarah Parcak

Timely essays from experienced contributors examine the damage recent conflict has caused to cultural heritage, and how it may best be safeguarded in future. `Laurie Rush, a senior archeologist with the U.S. Army, has assembled a seminal book on the threat to important cultural sites from combat operations, and none too soon. Spurred by the tragic and unnecessary loss of artefacts andarchaeology from the invasion of Iraq, she and her colleagues make a persuasive case that a minimum of common sense can not only protect this shared heritage but also enhance the likelihood that a military mission will succeed, and with fewer casualties. This book should be required reading for senior military and civilian leaders, not just in the United States but throughout the world, who are able to initiate the training and education necessary to ensure that planning and targeting personnel will be able to identify significant sites and take every reasonable step to avoid damaging them.' RICHARD MOE, PROFESSOR EMERITUS, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, US From Lawrence of Arabia to the Monuments Men to the contributors within this volume, academic scholars have found themselves engaged in conflict areas, in topics involving conflict, and in unlikely partnerships with military professionals. Motives and methods have varied dramatically over the years, but the over-riding theme of this volume is stewardship. In each case, an author has encountered a situation where their expertise has offered the potential tohelp save archaeological properties, historical structures, and sacred places - or has documented the process. Drawing on major contributions from seven armed forces, amongst others, this book aims to set out the obligations to protect cultural heritage under international Conventions; provide a series of case studies of current military practice; and outline the current efforts to enhance this. Overall, it offers examples, anecdotes, and lessons learnedthat can be used for consideration in planning future efforts for global archaeological stewardship. Contributors: Patty Gerstenblith, Krysia Spirydowicz, Julian Radcliffe, Corine Wegener, Joris Kila, Martin Brown, JamesZeidler, Laurie Rush, Paul R. Green, Darrell C. Pinckney, Diane C. Siebrandt, Hugo Clarke, Friedrich Schipper, Franz Schuller, Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen, Holger Eichberger, Erich Frank, Norbert Furstenhofer, Stephan Zellmeyer,Sarah Parcak

The protection of cultural property during times of armed conflict and social unrest has been an on-going challenge for military forces throughout the world even after the ratification and implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention and its two Protocols by participating nations. This volume provides a series of case studies and "lessons learned" to assess the current status of Cultural Property Protection (CPP) and the military, and use that information to rethink the way forward. The contributors are all recognized experts in the field of military CPP or cultural heritage and conflict, and all are actively engaged in developing national and international solutions for the protection and conservation of these non-renewable resources and the intangible cultural values that they represent.