“Syrian officials said they had moved hundreds of Palmyra’s statues to safety prior to the IS takeover but could not transfer large monuments. But across Syria, volunteers have risked their lives to preserve and protect irreplaceable monuments and mosaics, many of which date back to the 1st and 2nd Century; while civilians have turned over thousands of ancient artefacts for safekeeping. The British Museum said it could not reveal which Syrian artefact it was holding.”