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ISIS and heritage destruction: a sentiment analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2018

Emma Cunliffe  and
Luigi Curini
Emma Cunliffe*
Affiliation:
School of Arts and Cultures, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
Luigi Curini
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Conservatorio, 7-20122 Milano, Italy
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: emma.cunliffe@ncl.ac.uk)
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Abstract

While periods of war have always seen cultural heritage placed at risk, the recent rise of ISIS has involved the deliberate targeting of heritage sites as part of a broader strategy towards local communities in Syria and Iraq. Using data collated from social media (Twitter), the authors conducted sentiment analysis of reactions to instances of heritage destruction and repurposing in the Middle East between 2015 and 2016. It is hoped that the insights gained can help the international community better tackle terrorism, protecting heritage and supporting affected communities.

Keywords

Middle Eastheritagesocial mediasentiment analysisterrorism

Information

Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 92 , Issue 364 , August 2018 , pp. 1094 - 1111
Copyright
© Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2018 

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