Imagining Localities of Antiquity in Islamic Societies

Both the French restoration of Palmyra's Temple of Bel in the early 20th century and its destruction by ISIS in 2015 were ideological acts aimed at reviving an imagined past, reflecting globalized heritage ideals. The study highlights how these actions, while seemingly opposite, share a common logic that erases diverse layers of history—French efforts erased 1,800 years of Christian and Muslim heritage, while ISIS targeted the reconstructed temple. To move beyond problematic global heritage discourses, the article proposes an alternative framework for understanding how Muslims have valued ancient localities over time, emphasizing varied engagements with antiquity in Islamic societies.

Mulder, S. (2017). Imagining Localities of Antiquity in Islamic Societies. International Journal of Islamic Architecture, 6(2), 229–254. https://doi.org/10.1386/ijia.6.2.229_2