http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/545458d4-fae9-11e4-9aed-00144feab7de.html

This is the worst cultural heritage emergency since World War II.  ISIS’ blatant attacks on ancient archaeological sites in the Cradle of Civilization are efforts to cleanse Islam of foreign elements that it believes corrupt the religion.  But profit is also a big motivator for ISIS, because they sell the items they loot on the open market.