Islamic State Beheads Well-Known Antiquities Expert in Palmyra

The Islamic State has reportedly beheaded a well-known antiquities expert in the Syrian city of Palmyra, according to a human rights group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported this week that well-known antiquities expert Khaled al-As'ad was publically beheaded by Islamic extremists in the square in Palmyra, where al-As'ad had been working to discover ruins and antiquities from the city's rich historical past.

The terrorist group reportedly hung the 82-year-old's body from a pole in Palmyra's public square before parading him around the rest of the city, ultimately hanging him from an ancient column in the city.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the militants hung signs from al-As'ad's body that described the antiquities expert as a protector of the city's "idols," as well as accusing him of attending "apostate" conferences in foreign countries.

According to CNN, since the Islamic State gained control of Palmyra in May, it has systematically destroyed several tombs and ruins belonging to Middle Eastern history.

"ISIS militants also blew up the shrine of Shagaf, known as Abu Behaeddine, a religious figure from Palmyra, dated to 500 years ago. The shrine is located in the oasis 500 meters away from the Ancient City's Arch of Triumph," Syria's antiquities chief, Maamoun Abdulkarim, said in a statement to CNN in June.

Unesco Director General Irina Bokova said in a statement that al-As'ad was killed because "he would not betray his deep commitment to Palmyra."

"His work will live on far beyond the reach of these extremists," she said. "They murdered a great man, but they will never silence history."