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Early life and Career

Professor Maamoun was born in 1967, in the city of Derik (Known as Al-Malikiyah nowadays). The city is situated in the far north-eastern part of Syria. His mother is of Kurdish origins. His father Mr. Bidros Krikor Eskijdian descends from a renowned Armenian family. Mr. Bidros grew up in the city of Gemlik, situated in Bursa. During the Armenian Massacres in 1915, Mr. Bidros was saved by a Kurdish family called "AbdulKarim"; which originates from Derik. And that’s where the Abdulkarim family name came from.

Maamoun Abdulkarim
Born	01/01/1967
Nationality	Syrian
Occupation	Professor at Damascus University
Partner	Afaf Laila

Pr. Maamoun completed his school studies in Derik. He obtained his baccalaureate in 1986. Thereafter, he received a certificate in history with distinction from Damascus University, in 1990. Following that, he moved to France to persuade a postgraduate diploma from the University of Franche-Comté, in 1993. Subsequently, he conducted his doctoral research about the re-establishment and development of the city of Homs during the Roman era under the supervision of the renowned French archaeologist and historian George TATE. In 1997, Pr. Maamoun received his doctoral degree in archeology with distinction, from the University of Versailles-St Quentin en Yvelines.

Professional Biography

In 2000, Maamoun Abdulkarim lectured at Damascus University. Following that he held the position of Director of Scientific and Museum Affairs between 2000-2004, at the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums. In 2011, he was appointed as a Professor in the Department of Archeology at Damascus university. Between 2009-2012 he was nominated for the position of head of the Archeology Department at Damascus University. From 2012 and for a period of 5 years, Maamoun was appointed as the Director General of Antiquities and Museums in Syria.

Since 2000, he worked in the field as a co-director of the joint French-Syrian archaeological mission in northern Syria (the dead cities or ancient villages in northern Syria). Besides, he was a co-director of the Syrian-British mission from 2000-2006. Professor Maamoun also serves as an independent expert for UNESCO since 2008 till day.

Philosophy

During his tenure as a Director General of Antiquities and Museums – in the most violent and dangerous periods of the Syrian war – Professor Maamoun has adopted a vision aimed at protecting and saving the Syrian archeological heritage from danger and disappearance. His objective was successfully attained through the collaboration of Syrian people, archeological experts and the local community in the regions which witnessed bloody events. Moreover, the tactical and the rapid action plan that was adopted by the professor resulted in securing majority of museum treasures and transferring them to safe places in the capital city Damascus.

The professor also launched an international campaign to defend the city of Palmyra against the occupation of ISIS groups in May 2015. This was done through various international media, during which he addressed all consciences in the world to stand united in the face of terrorism that targets one of the most important components of human civilization. He succeeded in his plan with his colleagues to evacuate hundreds of archaeological statues from the National Museum in Palmyra several hours before the fall of the city and transferred them to Damascus. He completed his plan in the second evacuation process after the liberation of the city in March 2016.

Publications

Maamoun published number of books and dozens of scientific papers in different languages and participated in dozens of international scientific conferences aimed to protecting and defending cultural heritage during wars. His continuous efforts to defend Syrian heritage during war years caught the eyes of major international bodies and institutions, who as a result honored the Professor with remarkable international awards and honors.

1. M. ABDULKARIM, The book: Athâr al-‘usûr al-klasikiyah fî Bilâd al-Shâm( Classic archaeological in Bilad al-SHAM), University of Damascus press, 2008 and updated in 2013.

2. M. ABDULKARIM, Les villages antiques du massif calcaire du Nord de la Syrie, Guide archéologiques de l’Institut français du Proche-Orient, Beyrouth, IFPO, 2011. In Arabic.

3. M. ABDULKARIM, Archaeological Heritage in Syria During the Crisis 2011-2013, Ministry of Culture, 2013.

4. TATE, G, ABDULKARIM M, CHARPENTIER G, DUVETTE C et PIATON C., 2013 Sergilla village d'Apamène, I-II- III Volumes, Tome 203, IFPO, Byrouth. (In French language).

5. M. ABDULKARIM, L. KUTIEFAN, (Scientific Supervisor), Syrian Archaeological Heritage five years of crisis, 2016, Damascus (Arabic & English languages.

6. Participation as co-lead author in a book: Syrian Cultural Heritage, Ten Years of Conflict, Publications by UNESCO and UNOSAT-UNITAR in Geneva, to be published during the summer of 2022. In English, French and Arabic.

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions

• The "Cultural Heritage Rescue Prize Venice 2014"

This prize is aimed to attract the public in Europe and the world towards preventing the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria.The first edition of this “courageous” award was held in Venice on October 25, 2014, in the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), and the prize was awarded to Maamoun Abdulkarim (as the General-Director of DGAM) for the efforts to protect art and culture during Syria’s crisis.

• Commendation by UNESCO’s Director General Irina Bokova

• ICCROM Joins UNESCO in Lauding Syria Top Antiquities Official

Stefano De Caro Director General of ICCROM: “Syria was lucky to have a man of his stature during such a challenging time, and I personally am honored to have been able to work with him through these years,” “In the middle of the horrific conflict, Dr Abdulkarim understood that saving his country’s cultural assets was an obligation he had toward not only all Syrians but also the world,” said De Caro.

• The Senate Medal for the efforts and devotion to protect the Syrian cultural heritage and for the memory of the late Mr Khaled al-Asaad, martyr of Palmyra. 9 November 2015, Paris, Senate of France.
• Heritage Heroes, 39^th Session of the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO), Bonne, Germany, 2015

Preserving World Heritage Together, Exhibition organized by Federal Foreign Office in Germany and German Commission for UNESCO, the exhibition portrays individuals Worldwide, who engage in the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage while risking their health, lives, freedom, or careers.

• Anima per il SOCIALE NEI VALORI D'IMPRESA 2017, Edizion special Premio Anima, Roma-Italy.
• Shanghai Archaeology Forum 2017, Public Archaeology in the Service of Peace. Distinguished Service Award.
• The international press described him as the Monuments Man after the movie that was released in 2014, in appreciation of his efforts and courage in saving the collections in Syrian museums during the years of war.