The securitisation of cultural heritage

International efforts to protect cultural heritage have evolved from politicization and criminalization to securitization, particularly in conflict zones like Syria and Iraq. This shift is evident in responses to attacks on archaeological sites such as Palmyra. The study employs a discursive lens to map the narrative threads constructed by key international actors, revealing how cultural heritage has become increasingly framed through security discourse. By analyzing recent incidents, it offers a tentative explanation for this securitization process, highlighting its implications for under-researched fields like heritage protection.

Russo, A., & Giusti, S. (2018). The securitisation of cultural heritage. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 25(7), 843–857. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2018.1518979