Ann Marlowe, an accomplished critic, writer and journalist, has proposed that source countries be incentivized to take their responsibilities as stewards of cultural heritage seriously.
While some of her ideas-- like fining Iraq for its failure to keep Islamic terrorists from destroying ancient artifacts-- seem draconian, it's long past time for source countries to be held accountable for the cultural heritage in their care.
Hopefully, Marlowe's provocative opinions will prompt some much needed discussion on a more elevated plain than what we've come to expect from the extremes of the archaeological blogosphere.
Predictably, Paul Barford has taken exception to this proposal on grounds that its author is a conservative, has "learned very little about humility," wants Iraqi soldiers to be compelled to fight, and is associated in some unspecified way with "world-order imperialist retributionists."
ReplyDeleteHmm. That's almost as bad as being a coin collector. Obviously in Barford's view, people like that should not venture to have opinions, especially when their opinions relate to the unacceptable price Americans are paying for UNESCO's irrational and unworkable heritage policies.
Unfortunately Marlowe's ideas regarding fining states for failing to protect cultural heritage will never be accepted by source states. On the other hand, this observer sees great merit in recasting US heritage enforcement policy to refuse import restriction requests from states that do not make a very serious effort to enforce heritage protection laws within their borders.
Predictably, Paul Barford has taken exception to this proposal on grounds that its author is a conservative, has "learned very little about humility," wants Iraqi soldiers to be compelled to fight, and is associated in some unspecified way with "world-order imperialist retributionists."
ReplyDeleteHmm. That's almost as bad as being a coin collector. Obviously in Barford's view, people like that should not venture to have opinions, especially when their opinions relate to the unacceptable price Americans are paying for UNESCO's irrational and unworkable heritage policies.
Unfortunately Marlowe's ideas regarding fining states for failing to protect cultural heritage will never be accepted by source states. On the other hand, this observer sees great merit in recasting US heritage enforcement policy to refuse import restriction requests from states that do not make a very serious effort to enforce heritage protection laws within their borders.