The cradle of civilisation
As the war enters its third week one can only despair at the fate of the fabled cities of Babylon and Nineveh on the Euphrates, the glory of Baghdad on the Tigris, and the lot of a proud people with a strong sense of national identity, writes Jill Kamil

A heritage under siege
Countless Iraqi historical monuments have already been destroyed and we continue to hear more reports of damage. Nevine El-Aref traces the steps taken, and not taken, to preserve the country's heritage

History up in flames
I was in Washington DC when the Taliban destroyed the Buddha statues in Afghanistan, and I was invited by many TV stations to give interviews saying what I thought about it...
By Zahi Hawass