The events of unspeakable destruction emerging from the Middle East are reminding us of the global importance of our shared humanity and heritage. Preservation of cultural property provides opportunities for cross cultural and trans-national dialogue, and archaeologists, museum professionals, and military officers are working together at the national and international level to develop teaching materials and planning resources specifically designed to help members of military forces identify and respect cultural property and the heritage of citizens of host nations. Like it or not, members of fighting forces are often the very people humanity must rely on to save sacred places, historic structures, collections of cultural property such as museums and libraries, and even archaeological sites from the ravages of disaster both natural and man-made. From heritage mapping, to archaeology awareness playing cards, to video games and lectures, this lecture describes teaching methods, preservation accomplishments in conflict and disaster areas, plans for future effort and international cooperation, and the potential implications of these efforts for peace keeping and peace-making.

Short bibliography and/or website on lecture topic:

The best website for this topic is www.cchag.org

Selected readings include:

Charney, Noah 2014 The Real Monuments Men are Even More Heroic, Esquire Magazine, available from http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture/real-monuments-men

Rush, Laurie W. 2012 “Working with the Military to Protect Archaeological Sites and other Forms of Cultural Property.”  Journal of World Archaeology. 44:3, 359-377.

[Laurie Rush (2012): Working with the military to protect archaeological sites and other

forms of cultural property, World Archaeology, 44:3, 359-377

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2012.722035

Rush, Laurie W. 2012  “Cultural Property Protection as a Force Multiplier in Stability Operations; World War II Monuments Officers Lessons Learned”  Military Review.  March-April, 2012, pp.  36-43.

To link to this article:  http://usacac.army.mil/CAC2/MilitaryReview/Archives/English/MilitaryReview_20120430_art008.pdf