Syria's conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, but it has also seen the country's irreplaceable heritage dug up and sold, damaged by war and wilfully destroyed.
From pre-historic settlements and ancient markets, to Greco-Roman ruins and Crusader castles, Syria is a repository of treasures from different ages and cultures.
But that rich history has also made the country's war particularly devastating from the perspective of archeologists and heritage specialists.
"There are more than 900 monuments and archeological sites that have been affected, destroyed or wiped out," said Cheikhmous Ali of the Association for Protection of Syrian Archeology.
"And that is something of concern not just for Syria, because this is international heritage."
On Monday, satellite images confirmed the Temple of Bel in the ruins of ancient Palmyra had been destroyed by the Islamic State group just a week after the jihadists levelled the smaller Baal Shamin temple.
The loss is particularly painful, as Palmyra is one of Syria's six UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, described by the United Nations as "of incalculable value to our shared global heritage".
The recent destruction in Palmyra, which experts said was likely to continue, has been some of the most wanton in the war in Syria.
The Islamic State group's harsh philosophy condemns pre-Islamic religious sites and considers statues and grave markers to be idolatrous.
But the group has also been accused of targeting heritage to loot items for the black market and to gain publicity.
IS has been quick to destroy sites and artefacts that fall outside its interpretation of religion and history.
Before IS arrived in Palmyra in late May, antiquities officials were able to evacuate its museum, removing many priceless pieces.
But Syria's antiquities chief Maamoun Abdulkarim said several remaining sites and pieces that could not be moved were now under threat.
"There are still dozens of the greatest graves, the amphitheatre and the Temple of Nabu," he told AFP.
"They have killed Palmyra. Now, they will terrorise it," he said.
Maurice Sartre, a French archaeologist and expert on Palmyra, was furious about the destruction of the Temple of Bel and accused the West of inaction.
"My personal feeling is that of huge anger against Daesh," he said using another acronym for IS.
