Cultural Arsenal

Explores how cultural heritage has been exploited and weaponised by both state and non-state actors throughout history and in contemporary conflicts, revealing how monuments, traditions and historical narratives are manipulated for political, military and ideological gain, while also highlighting the resilience of communities striving to protect and reclaim their heritage against such attacks

Cultural Arsenal: The Weaponisation of Heritage in Armed Conflict addresses head-on a dark and often overlooked aspect of cultural heritage: its weaponisation by both state and non-state actors. This new book is intended to show how cultural heritage has been used as a tool or weapon in contemporary conflict and geopolitical competition and how heritage has been manipulated and exploited throughout history to achieve strategic goals. The role of propaganda in the weaponisation of cultural heritage is also explored by examining how state actors use media and education to shape narratives around cultural heritage, often to justify territorial claims or suppress minority cultures.