Fact check: 200-year-old Ottoman cannon claim debunked by Aleppo museum director

The claim that a 200-year-old Ottoman cannon was taken from the National Museum of Aleppo (Aleppo Museum) and used in battle during Syria’s civil war has been debunked by the former director of the National Museum of Aleppo, Youssef Kanjou.

The video that surfaced showing the cannon being fired in combat has now been proven to be misleading, with Kanjou clarifying that the cannon in question was never part of the museum’s collection.

Clarification from former director of Aleppo Museum

In an email to clarify the situation, Kanjou addressed Türkiye Today, stating, “This cannon is not from the National Museum of Aleppo. We do not have such an Ottoman cannon in our collection. The video that was published is very old— it was made eight years ago. They claimed it was from our museum, but that is not true.” This statement directly contradicts earlier claims that the cannon was part of the National Museum of Aleppo’s collection.

Real story of cannon

The video in question, which had been circulating as proof of the cannon’s use in battle, is indeed old. Kanjou pointed out that the footage was created years ago as previously assumed. The video appears to be part of a separate project or reenactment, further debunking the connection to the National Museum of Aleppo.

According to Kanjou, the cannon shown in the video was not an Ottoman artifact, and it was never displayed in the National Museum of Aleppo. This revelation calls into question the authenticity of the original reports that suggested the cannon was an ancient Ottoman piece taken by rebels and used in battle.

The video in the link provided by Kanjou clearly shows that the cannon was featured in a video uploaded to YouTube eight years ago.

Importance of fact-checking historical claims

This incident serves as an important reminder of the necessity to verify historical claims before they are shared widely. In today’s digital age, misinformation can spread quickly, and historical artifacts and their stories are sometimes misrepresented or misused for various purposes.

By setting the record straight, Kanjou has helped to preserve the integrity of Syria’s rich cultural heritage.

This cannon is not from the Ottoman era and was not stolen from the National Museum of Aleppo. So, what was the state of the National Museum of Aleppo during the civil war, and what is its condition now?

Aleppo Museum ready to reopen after Syrian Civil War

The National Museum of Aleppo is preparing to reopen its doors after the devastating impact of the civil war. While its courtyard was struck by shelling, the museum’s building and collection have largely remained intact.

Director Ahmed Othman told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the museum “took lessons from the experience of our neighbors,” including institutions in Iraq and Lebanon.

“We took the necessary measures to protect our collections,” he explained.

Heavy statues that could not be moved were encased in concrete, while smaller pieces were relocated to safe locations. Thanks to these efforts, treasures that span nine millennia of history, including artifacts tracing the birth of writing in nearby Mesopotamia, have been preserved without damage.

“We did many things in order to protect the museum as a whole,” Othman added.

The reopening of the National Museum of Aleppo demonstrates the successful preservation of invaluable artifacts despite the challenges posed by the civil war. With measures such as encasing statues in concrete and relocating smaller pieces to safe locations, the museum’s collection, reflecting nine millennia of history, remains intact. This marks a crucial effort in safeguarding Syria’s cultural and historical heritage for future generations.