Timbuktu damage {by fundamentalists} to Mali historic sites 'underestimated' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

A team of experts in Mali says damage to Timbuktu's unique cultural heritage under rebel control is much worse than was first estimated.

The Unesco team travelled to the city for the first time since systematic attacks by Islamist militants who occupied it until early this year.

They say Timbuktu is completely degraded and that more of its famous mausoleums than previously thought are damaged.

Many more manuscripts are also missing.
***
"What we also noted is that not only 2,000 to 3,000 manuscripts were lost. The estimation, today, is of 4,203 manuscripts that were completely lost," he said.
***
more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22853765




"Islamists" destroying Islamic culture -- HOW do people become such fanatics ?

[Archae]

1. One word.

Fundys.

"OUR holy book says to destroy!"

These are fundy Muslims, who are waging "holy war" against everything they decide is against their sick version of Islam.

Here in the US, we see versions like this on the Christian side, with fundy preachers having book burnings that include games, CD's, etc that THEY don't like.

[madrchsod]

2. ignorance and fear?

it really is a shame that those manuscripts were destroyed. god only knows what was lost.