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Pictures | Fri Apr 1, 2016 | 10:10pm EDT

Palmyra: Before and after ISIS

A 2010 view shows the intact Temple of Bel in the historic Syrian city of Palmyra. The temple, an ancient fusion of Near Eastern and Greco-Roman architecture named for the Mesopotamian god Bel, was dedicated in 32 AD.     



REUTERS/Sandra Auger

A 2010 view shows the intact Temple of Bel in the historic Syrian city of Palmyra. The temple, an ancient fusion of Near Eastern and Greco-Roman architecture named for the Mesopotamian god Bel, was dedicated in 32 AD. REUTERS/Sandra Auger

A 2010 view shows the intact Temple of Bel in the historic Syrian city of Palmyra. The temple, an ancient fusion of Near Eastern and Greco-Roman architecture named for the Mesopotamian god Bel, was dedicated in 32 AD. REUTERS/Sandra Auger
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Referring to the building as a 'pagan temple', Islamic State members detonated explosives around the interior and exterior of the structure. Damage to the temple was extensive, with most of the stones shattered to pieces by the explosives. 


REUTERS/Social Media

Referring to the building as a 'pagan temple', Islamic State members detonated explosives around the interior and exterior of the structure. Damage to the temple was extensive, with most of the stones shattered to pieces by the explosives....more

Referring to the building as a 'pagan temple', Islamic State members detonated explosives around the interior and exterior of the structure. Damage to the temple was extensive, with most of the stones shattered to pieces by the explosives. REUTERS/Social Media
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The remains of the Temple of Bel today. 

REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The remains of the Temple of Bel today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The remains of the Temple of Bel today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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A statue of Athena, the Greek goddess of peace and war, seen here intact at the Palmyra museum.   

REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

A statue of Athena, the Greek goddess of peace and war, seen here intact at the Palmyra museum. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

A statue of Athena, the Greek goddess of peace and war, seen here intact at the Palmyra museum. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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The same statue, seen here at the end of the hallway, with its arm and head missing. 



REUTERS/SANA

The same statue, seen here at the end of the hallway, with its arm and head missing. REUTERS/SANA

The same statue, seen here at the end of the hallway, with its arm and head missing. REUTERS/SANA
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The Arch of Triumph, seen here intact, in the eastern section of Palmyra's colonnade, was destroyed by Islamic State in August 2015. Work on the eastern section began in 175 AD and continued into the early 3rd century.   

REUTERS/Sandra Auger

The Arch of Triumph, seen here intact, in the eastern section of Palmyra's colonnade, was destroyed by Islamic State in August 2015. Work on the eastern section began in 175 AD and continued into the early 3rd century. REUTERS/Sandra Auger

The Arch of Triumph, seen here intact, in the eastern section of Palmyra's colonnade, was destroyed by Islamic State in August 2015. Work on the eastern section began in 175 AD and continued into the early 3rd century. REUTERS/Sandra Auger
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The Monumental Arch today. 

REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The Monumental Arch today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The Monumental Arch today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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An aerial view shows an explosion at the wall of the Fakhr al-Din al-Maani citadel as Syrian government forces pushed their way into Palmyra. The castle, believed to have been built by Mamluks in the 13th century, remains intact, although retreating Islamic State fighters detonated the stairway leading to the entrance.    


REUTERS/RURTR

An aerial view shows an explosion at the wall of the Fakhr al-Din al-Maani citadel as Syrian government forces pushed their way into Palmyra. The castle, believed to have been built by Mamluks in the 13th century, remains intact, although retreating...more

An aerial view shows an explosion at the wall of the Fakhr al-Din al-Maani citadel as Syrian government forces pushed their way into Palmyra. The castle, believed to have been built by Mamluks in the 13th century, remains intact, although retreating Islamic State fighters detonated the stairway leading to the entrance. REUTERS/RURTR
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The stairway at the Fakhr al-Din al-Maani citadel today. 

REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The stairway at the Fakhr al-Din al-Maani citadel today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The stairway at the Fakhr al-Din al-Maani citadel today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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The Valley of Tombs, west of the city's ancient walls, was home to 50 monuments, mostly sandstone tower-shaped chambers that held the graves of wealthy Palmyrenes. The  Tower of Elahbel and the Tower of Iamblichus, two of the better preserved monuments, were destroyed by Islamic State in August 2015. 

 
REUTERS/Sandra Auger

The Valley of Tombs, west of the city's ancient walls, was home to 50 monuments, mostly sandstone tower-shaped chambers that held the graves of wealthy Palmyrenes. The Tower of Elahbel and the Tower of Iamblichus, two of the better preserved...more

The Valley of Tombs, west of the city's ancient walls, was home to 50 monuments, mostly sandstone tower-shaped chambers that held the graves of wealthy Palmyrenes. The Tower of Elahbel and the Tower of Iamblichus, two of the better preserved monuments, were destroyed by Islamic State in August 2015. REUTERS/Sandra Auger
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An image distributed by Islamic State in August 2015 appeared to show the total destruction of the Roman-era  Baal Shamin temple. One of the most complete ancient buildings in Palmyra before its demolition, archaeologists hope to rebuild the structure, as well as the destroyed Temple of Bel and Monument Arch, by using the advanced reconstruction technique known as anastylosis. 

  

REUTERS/Social Media

An image distributed by Islamic State in August 2015 appeared to show the total destruction of the Roman-era Baal Shamin temple. One of the most complete ancient buildings in Palmyra before its demolition, archaeologists hope to rebuild the...more

An image distributed by Islamic State in August 2015 appeared to show the total destruction of the Roman-era Baal Shamin temple. One of the most complete ancient buildings in Palmyra before its demolition, archaeologists hope to rebuild the structure, as well as the destroyed Temple of Bel and Monument Arch, by using the advanced reconstruction technique known as anastylosis. REUTERS/Social Media
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The Great Tetrapylon, linking the west and central sections of the colonnade, is seen intact prior to the arrival of Islamic State.  


REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

The Great Tetrapylon, linking the west and central sections of the colonnade, is seen intact prior to the arrival of Islamic State. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

The Great Tetrapylon, linking the west and central sections of the colonnade, is seen intact prior to the arrival of Islamic State. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino
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The Great Tetrapylon can be seen still intact in this aerial view taken shortly after Syrian forces retook the city. 
 

REUTERS/Rossiya 24

The Great Tetrapylon can be seen still intact in this aerial view taken shortly after Syrian forces retook the city. REUTERS/Rossiya 24

The Great Tetrapylon can be seen still intact in this aerial view taken shortly after Syrian forces retook the city. REUTERS/Rossiya 24
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The Great Tetrapylon today.


REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The Great Tetrapylon today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The Great Tetrapylon today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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The Roman theater, used by Islamic State to film executions, remains intact. 


REUTERS/Rossiya 24

The Roman theater, used by Islamic State to film executions, remains intact. REUTERS/Rossiya 24

The Roman theater, used by Islamic State to film executions, remains intact. REUTERS/Rossiya 24
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The Roman theater today. 

REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The Roman theater today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

The Roman theater today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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Damage in the museum was extensive with an unknown number of relics either destroyed or looted. 


REUTERS/SANA

Damage in the museum was extensive with an unknown number of relics either destroyed or looted. REUTERS/SANA

Damage in the museum was extensive with an unknown number of relics either destroyed or looted. REUTERS/SANA
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Smoke rises from the modern city as seen from the historic city of Palmyra today. 


REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Smoke rises from the modern city as seen from the historic city of Palmyra today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Smoke rises from the modern city as seen from the historic city of Palmyra today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads "We remain" on a stone at the Temple of Bel. 


REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads "We remain" on a stone at the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads "We remain" on a stone at the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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Syrian army soldiers standing on the ruins of the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Syrian army soldiers standing on the ruins of the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Syrian army soldiers standing on the ruins of the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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Damaged artifacts inside the museum.   


 REUTERS/SANA

Damaged artifacts inside the museum. REUTERS/SANA

Damaged artifacts inside the museum. REUTERS/SANA
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Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads "No shooting is allowed without the permission of the Emir" on a stone among the remains of the Temple of Bel. 

REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads "No shooting is allowed without the permission of the Emir" on a stone among the remains of the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads "No shooting is allowed without the permission of the Emir" on a stone among the remains of the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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A Syrian national flag in the historic city today. 

REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

A Syrian national flag in the historic city today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

A Syrian national flag in the historic city today. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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Damage to the Monumental Arch. 

REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Damage to the Monumental Arch. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Damage to the Monumental Arch. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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Syrian soldiers on the ruins of the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Syrian soldiers on the ruins of the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Syrian soldiers on the ruins of the Temple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads "We remain" at theTemple of Bel.

 REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads "We remain" at theTemple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Graffiti sprayed by Islamic State militants which reads "We remain" at theTemple of Bel. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
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