Heritage destruction during wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and more recent conflicts have vastly increased the obligation of scholars to help preserve the art and material culture of antiquity. Classical archaeologist C. Brian Rose has first-hand experience with destruction and preservation efforts in conflict zones. He draws from his deep understanding of excavations and museums to reflect on cultural heritage today, repatriation requests, and the importance of the past for the present.

C. Brian Rose is an American archaeologist, classical scholar, and author. He is the James B. Pritchard Professor of Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the Ferry Curator-in-Charge of the Mediterranean Section of the Penn Museum. He currently serves as director for the Gordion excavations and as head of the Post-Bronze Age excavations at Troy. His publications have focused on the archaeological sites of Troy and Gordion (both in present-day Turkey), and on the political and artistic relationship between Rome and the provinces. Rose has also offered pre-deployment education and training for armed-forces personnel bound for Iraq and Afghanistan to emphasize cultural heritage awareness and protection.