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Museum of Lost Objects

Museum of Lost Objects: Mar Elian Monastery

Mar Elian Monastery

BBC Radio 4 - Museum of Lost Objects, Mar Elian Monastery

The legends of a shrine, revered by both Christians and Muslims for hundreds of years

The legends of a Syrian shrine, revered by both Christians and Muslims for hundreds of years

The Museum of Lost Objects traces the histories of 10 antiquities or cultural sites that have been destroyed or looted in Iraq and Syria.

This monastery in the remote Syrian town of Qaryatayn held the 1,000 year old tomb of a saint, Mar Elian, who was revered by Christians and Muslims alike. After the Islamic State group took Palmyra, they came to the monastery of Mar Elian, kidnapped its priest and later bulldozed the site. A British archaeologist who lived and worked there for many years tells the legends of Mar Elian and her close relationship with the community. 

This episode was first broadcast on 7 March, 2016.

Presenter: Kanishk Tharoor
Producer: Maryam Maruf

Picture: Doorway to Mar Elian
Credit: Emma Loosley

Contributors: Emma Loosley, University of Exeter; Father Jacques Murad, formerly priest at Mar Elian

With thanks to Shadi Atalla

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Tracing the histories of antiquities and landmarks that have been destroyed or looted.

Tracing the histories of antiquities and landmarks that have been destroyed or looted in Iraq and Syria, India and Pakistan.

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