At the time of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the issue of cultural property protection (CPP) in conflict zones wasn’t really recognised by armed forces, governments or the public. Therefore, there was no real CPP policy.

Although awareness of CPP grew following the Iraq war, crucial historical evidence from 1943-45 was still largely unknown to military personnel. There was also little academic engagement with military CPP.

Associate Professor Nigel Pollard from Swansea University set out to improve understanding of CPP by sharing key findings from his historical and archaeological research.

Informing CPP in conflict zones

Pollard’s research reflected on wartime experience to inform contemporary CPP in conflict zones. He looked at:

  • the creation, prioritisation and distribution of documentation and information on sites as ‘cultural intelligence’ for ‘no-strike’ lists and national inventories 
  • rationales for and responses to different causes of cultural property damage, including deliberate ideological destruction, collateral damage and looting
  • the interpretation and application of international law relating to CPP 
  • relationships between armed forces, academics, heritage professionals and other stakeholders 
  • CPP in proactive preparation for conflict and operational planning during it
  • locating military CPP specialists within military structures and in the theatre of operations
  • the importance of education, training and discipline in promoting CPP among military personnel.

Pollard also looked at the concerns of civilian heritage professionals in regards to how to safeguard and shelter evacuated museum and gallery collections. 

In addition, he contributed as a specialist to military no-strike lists and mentored refugee Syrian academics investigating damage to cultural sites in their home country.

Changing national and international approaches to CPP

Pollard’s work changed UK and international approaches to CPP in current and potential conflicts. He: 

  • acted as an expert advisor for the creation and training of the UK’s military Cultural Property Protection Unit (CPPU)
  •  was invited to join the CPPU as a reservist ‘Group B’ officer, a status used by UK armed forces for senior civilian advisors with specialist skills and expertise 
  • raised the profile of CPP among the wider military and security community through events and workshops run by NATO and the UK Defence Academy
  • informed government policies relating to CPP through his membership of Blue Shield (the ‘Red Cross’ for cultural property)
  • helped create, form and implement the UK Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) that supports efforts to protect cultural heritage at risk in countries including Syria and served as an assessor for CPF applications
  • influenced and informed stakeholders and wider public audiences on CPP through presentations and media coverage, including on the BBC News website.

As a result, his work has enhanced the capacity of UK and NATO military forces to preserve cultural property of historic significance in their overseas operations.

Research team

Associate Professor Nigel Pollard – Swansea University

Read the full REF impact case study