This article compares the damage sustained to sites in Syria during 50 years of peace with that recorded during the recent conflict. A methodology is presented to analyze peacetime site damage using remote assessment of sites on sequential satellite imagery and site damage during conflict from media sources, together with samples of the results achieved. The findings are compared to begin to draw out similarities and differences in how site damage occurs in war and peace, what factors affect it, and some of the key challenges sites now face.

White, 'How to cross-examine forensic scientists: A guide for lawyers' (2014) 39 Australian Bar Review 174. 2 Like HTCE, the discussion of methods (e.g. validation and error rates) in this article is primarily, though not exclusively, directed toward the comparison and pattern recognition domains. Though, the remaining discussion has more general application to the forensic sciences and medicine.

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The archaeology of the Middle East is of immense significance to the history of mankind. However, due to modern development and the expansion of irrigation and agriculture, this priceless heritage is being damaged and lost at an unprecedented rate. It is neither practical, nor in many cases, possible, to visit sites to determine the extent of damage. Satellite imagery offers an unparalleled opportunity to assess and quantify the damage sites are experiencing. However, remote assessments present a new set of challenges in how to record aspects of damage which cannot be confirmed in the field, such as site visibility, and site depth. This paper presents a new ontology of damage, developed specifically for use in assessing sites remotely. In addition, it offers ways to incorporate additional factors such as site visibility on imagery. Whilst it was developed during an assessment of Syrian sites, it has far wider applicability.

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