Report finds Babylon damaged by occupying forces

A British Museum report has found that US led forces in Iraq have caused “substantial damage” to one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures, the ancient city of Babylon. It says 2300 year old pavements were crushed by Polish and American army vehicles. Fragments of ancient walls were used to fill sand bags and cracks were seen in walls where people had tried to gouge out carvings.

US commanders decided to set up base in Babylon in April 2003, handing it over to Polish forces five months later. The report said the decision was like setting up an army camp around Stone Henge. Warsaw decided to pull its men out when it realised what had happened and the camp is now formally in Iraqi government hands.

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