The BBC gives a tour of Syria's ancient Palmyra ruins, before ISIS bulldozers roll in

ISIS may well destroy the Palmyra ruins — (Image credit: BBC/YouTube)

On Wednesday, Islamic State fighters are believed to have taken control of the Syrian city of Palmyra from Syrian forces. The city is just north of the ancient Palmyra ruins, home to 2,000-year-old temples, tombs, and other structures influenced by Greek, Roman, and Persian cultures. Syria has removed what it can from the site, but given ISIS's track record with antiquities, this is very bad news for the U.N. world heritage site, as well as for anyone who likes history and beauty. In the video below, BBC News provides what may be a last glimpse at Palmyra's immovable treasures. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.