Powerful Before and After Photos Show Just How Much ISIS Destroyed Palmyra

Joseph Eid, a photographer for AFP news agency, went to the Syrian city of Palmyra after it was recaptured from ISIS. Rather than simply take photos of the ancient city as it is now, he carried photos that he had snapped two years ago to try to recreate the images. The results put on stark display just how much damage ISIS did to the world-famous city.

Syria’s antiquities director, Mamoun Abdulkarim, had sounded an optimistic note on Palmyra’s ruins, saying they were in better shape than expected. But he also said it would likely take as long as five years to restore them, and some things have been lost forever. “Of course the Temple of Bel will never be the same. According to our experts, we will definitely be able to restore a third of the destroyed cella, or maybe even more if we carry out additional studies with UNESCO’s help,” Abdulkarim said. “I invite archaeologists and experts everywhere to come work with us because this site is part of the heritage of all humanity.”