U.S.-Led Forces said to have Damaged Ancient Babylon

abcnews.go.com
LONDON Jan 15, 2005 — U.S.-led troops using the ancient Iraqi city of Babylon as a base have caused widespread damage and contamination, according to a report by the British Museum...

...In the report, Curtis acknowledged that at first the U.S. presence had helped to protect the site from looters.

But subsequent work including the decision to cover large areas of the site with gravel brought in from elsewhere to provide car parks and helipads was damaging, he said.

Lord Redesdale, an archaeologist who heads a parliamentary archaeology committee, described the report's findings as "just dreadful."

"Not only is what the American forces are doing damaging the archaeology of Iraq, it's actually damaging the cultural heritage of the whole world," he said.

For more than 1,000 years, Babylon was one of the world's premier cities, where Nebuchadnezzar II built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

This is a real shame to have this happen.
The war has has really had a toll on Iraq's historical sites and on their artifacts.
This sites and artifacts are very important and it's a shame to see them damaged.

Here's some photos of the city of Babylon which is now a military base:

www.hobotraveler.com...

Entrance to city.


Just entered in the courtyard.


Mural on wall of city.


Tom American Civil Affairs Soldier - Iraqi Translator