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
Saturday, December 13, 2014
More Debunking of the $36 million figure
Artnet news, citing German sources, has also debunked the claim that $36 million in antiquities were looted from one area in Syria. Why is this so important? - because the figure has been used to justify proposed changes in the law in both Germany and the United States that will impose the "devil's proof" on collectors of common artifacts which have been legally held for generations.
Most seriously perhaps, is that many archaeologists, on the one the hand reckon 'archaeology' is something akin to 'science' of forensic accuracy, yet, when it suits them, latch on to and promote UNPROVEN allegations as FACT.
ReplyDeleteThis must in my view, and I suspect others too, strongly suggest that if they are capable of such chicanery, how much reliance, even integrity, can be placed on their academic work?
Presumably, some US legislators are being led by the nose up the garden path? It will be illuminating to see which US Senators and Congressmen fall for the ruse.
Warm wishes
John Howland
England
Most seriously perhaps, is that many archaeologists, on the one the hand reckon 'archaeology' is something akin to 'science' of forensic accuracy, yet, when it suits them, latch on to and promote UNPROVEN allegations as FACT.
ReplyDeleteThis must in my view, and I suspect others too, strongly suggest that if they are capable of such chicanery, how much reliance, even integrity, can be placed on their academic work?
Presumably, some US legislators are being led by the nose up the garden path? It will be illuminating to see which US Senators and Congressmen fall for the ruse.
Warm wishes
John Howland
England
John, this is a good point worth a separate blog post.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you doubt these figures?There is a Syrian Artifact Erosion Counter after all?
ReplyDelete