A Web Log Championing the Longstanding Interests of Collectors in the Preservation, Study, Display and Enjoyment of Cultural Artifacts Against an "Archaeology Over All" Perspective
Monday, July 28, 2014
Balkan Corruption
More evidence, if any is needed, from Greece and Macedonia that the state ownership model does little to promote conservation, but much to promote corruption, sometimes at the highest levels.
corruption is everywhere peter.the us and uk have had their share of corrupt officials.the state ownership model has nothing to do with peoples greed.we had one case in the uk where a metal detector stole a coin from a museum and than tried to pass it on as a find to his local flo.we cant blame the PAS for that.greed is greed. kyri.
hear is the link to the story peter about the "fanatical metal detector" who stole the coin.just in case some people think im making it up. http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/4070189.Stolen_1_000_year_old_coin_returned_to_Malmesbury_Abbey/ kyri
Corruption may be everywhere, but surely the opportunities and rewards are far greater in places where there is a state ownership model. Also, I'd suggest there is a correlation between places where governments control everything and corruption. And certainly data from places like Transparency International suggest the UK and US don't have the same problems of a Greece or Macedonia.
As for the fanatical metal detectorist, not sure what that has to do with corruption. Also, that story dates back to 2009 and appears to have had a happy ending, presumably because an honest detectorist turned the malefactor in.
yes peter your right,it probably was another honest metal detectorist that informed the abbey.i was just using this as an analogy in that we cant dismiss a whole system because of one or two rotten apples.personally im not in favour of the state owns everything model and i prefer something along the lines of the PAS but with more controland a stronger treasure act, with the state getting first choice on everything found and a limit on the payouts.im sure no one wants to see local museums being priced out of the equation by private collectors and greedy metal detectorists as was the case with the crosby garette helmet. kyri. ps "fanatical metal detectorist" where not my words but the reporters.
kyri is quite right in his assertion that corruption and indeed thieving is everywhere, but metal detectorists do not hold the monopoly of the heritage villainy, as the conviction of US archaeologist Daniel Amick, along with the Greek Police official in charge of protecting that country's antiquities, and the Macedonian archaeologist jailed for his part in antiquities theft, clearly indicates.
Indeed, Greece is in the financial turmoil it is, simply because Greeks dodged paying their requisite taxes on a national scale while Greek officialdom seemingly turned a blind-eye.
I'm certain that corruption levels in US and UK officialdom are minuscule compared to that in Greece and the Balkans. Given time and encouragement to follow the US/UK model, attitudes will alter, and corruption in all its forms lessened.
kyri is quite right in his assertion that corruption and indeed thieving is everywhere, but metal detectorists do not hold the monopoly of the heritage villainy, as the conviction of US archaeologist Daniel Amick, along with the Greek Police official in charge of protecting that country's antiquities, and the Macedonian archaeologist jailed for his part in antiquities theft, clearly indicates.
Indeed, Greece is in the financial turmoil it is, simply because Greeks dodged paying their requisite taxes on a national scale while Greek officialdom seemingly turned a blind-eye.
I'm certain that corruption levels in US and UK officialdom are minuscule compared to that in Greece and the Balkans. Given time and encouragement to follow the US/UK model, attitudes will alter, and corruption in all its forms lessened.
Henceforth, comments will only be posted from those who provide a full name, country of residence and basis for interest, i.e., collector, archaeologist, academic, etc. or their Blogger profile provides such information.
corruption is everywhere peter.the us and uk have had their share of corrupt officials.the state ownership model has nothing to do with peoples greed.we had one case in the uk where a metal detector stole a coin from a museum and than tried to pass it on as a find to his local flo.we cant blame the PAS for that.greed is greed.
ReplyDeletekyri.
hear is the link to the story peter about the "fanatical metal detector" who stole the coin.just in case some people think im making it up.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/4070189.Stolen_1_000_year_old_coin_returned_to_Malmesbury_Abbey/
kyri
Corruption may be everywhere, but surely the opportunities and rewards are far greater in places where there is a state ownership model. Also, I'd suggest there is a correlation between places where governments control everything and corruption. And certainly data from places like Transparency International suggest the UK and US don't have the same problems of a Greece or Macedonia.
ReplyDeleteAs for the fanatical metal detectorist, not sure what that has to do with corruption. Also, that story dates back to 2009 and appears to have had a happy ending, presumably because an honest detectorist turned the malefactor in.
yes peter your right,it probably was another honest metal detectorist that informed the abbey.i was just using this as an analogy in that we cant dismiss a whole system because of one or two rotten apples.personally im not in favour of the state owns everything model and i prefer something along the lines of the PAS but with more controland a stronger treasure act, with the state getting first choice on everything found and a limit on the payouts.im sure no one wants to see local museums being priced out of the equation by private collectors and greedy metal detectorists as was the case with the crosby garette helmet.
ReplyDeletekyri.
ps "fanatical metal detectorist" where not my words but the reporters.
kyri is quite right in his assertion that corruption and indeed thieving is everywhere, but metal detectorists do not hold the monopoly of the heritage villainy, as the conviction of US archaeologist Daniel Amick, along with the Greek Police official in charge of protecting that country's antiquities, and the Macedonian archaeologist jailed for his part in antiquities theft, clearly indicates.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Greece is in the financial turmoil it is, simply because Greeks dodged paying their requisite taxes on a national scale while Greek officialdom seemingly turned a blind-eye.
I'm certain that corruption levels in US and UK officialdom are minuscule compared to that in Greece and the Balkans. Given time and encouragement to follow the US/UK model, attitudes will alter, and corruption in all its forms lessened.
Best wishes
John Howland
England
kyri is quite right in his assertion that corruption and indeed thieving is everywhere, but metal detectorists do not hold the monopoly of the heritage villainy, as the conviction of US archaeologist Daniel Amick, along with the Greek Police official in charge of protecting that country's antiquities, and the Macedonian archaeologist jailed for his part in antiquities theft, clearly indicates.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Greece is in the financial turmoil it is, simply because Greeks dodged paying their requisite taxes on a national scale while Greek officialdom seemingly turned a blind-eye.
I'm certain that corruption levels in US and UK officialdom are minuscule compared to that in Greece and the Balkans. Given time and encouragement to follow the US/UK model, attitudes will alter, and corruption in all its forms lessened.
Best wishes
John Howland
England