Britain will set up a team of “rescue archaeologists,” mirroring the fictional archaeologist Indiana Jones, to salvage historic site from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group, according to the Daily Mail .

A group of curators from the UK will travel to Iraq, Syria, and Libya where they will work with fellow curators there to identify any items that could be rescued. They will also make digital recordings of ancient sites, allowing them to be restored or, if beyond repair, allow future generations to view their lost heritage. IS has bulldozed ancient mosques and looted artefacts including treasures dating back to King Solomon, ancient Persia and Greco-Roman times, on the grounds they ‘promote idolatry’. These include the demolition of the Northwest Palace at Nimrud, built in the Ninth Century BC, the 12th Century Khudr Mosque in central Mosul and the 13th Century shrine of Imam Awn al-Din in Mosul. In March, fighters also started to demolish shrines near Tripoli, Libya.

The initiative follows widespread destruction by IS in the Syrian town of Palmyra, which contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. From the 1st to the 2nd century, the art and architecture of Palmyra, standing at the crossroads of several civilisations, married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions and Persian influences. The town was captured by IS last month and there have been recent reports that mines have been laid at the ruins.  A 1,900-year-old ‘God Lion’ statue is already said to have been obliterated. Five out of Syria’s six UNESCO World Heritage sites are reported to have suffered ‘massive destruction’.

The Isis commander in the city has promised not to destroy the ancient ruins, but said that “idolatrous” statues would be “pulverised”. However, archaeologists have said that the Temple of Bel remains in danger, and has already suffered damage in the fighting. In a video released by Isis to prove the ruins were still intact, damage could be seen to the pediment on top of the temple. The Institute for the Study of War has said that Isis may be planning attacks to coincide with Ramadan.