Monday, November 30, 2015

Dubious Numbers Still Being Cited

It has come to CPO's attention that elements within the archaeological lobby are still claiming that ISIS has made "$100s of millions" or "tens of millions" from looting.   However, the former number traces back to Iraq's UN Ambassador. It is unclear what, if any basis, he had for the number.  And the "tens of millions" claim is yet another version of discredited tale that ISIS has stolen $36 million from one area within Syria alone.

At this late date, it can only be stated with some degree of certainty that ISIS has made at most "several million dollars" from antiquities sales.  Given ISIS' take of approximately $1 billion dollars, antiquities must be just one of many minor ISIS funding sources.
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1 comment:

  1. John HDecember 1, 2015 at 2:31 AM

    Hello Peter:

    There's an old adage in press circles: When the legend is bigger than the truth, always print the legend.

    Regards

    John Howland
    England

    ReplyDelete

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