The Israeli Antiquities Authority raided a store selling ancient artifacts and coins and has charged the owner with violating Israel's new registration laws. It is unclear from the story whether there is any actual evidence the store was selling recently looted material.
CPO is concerned that hard to comply with registration schemes will lead to more seizures of artifacts without proof they were actually looted.
Moreover, if dealers are to register there wares so should archaeologists. Requiring archaeologists to maintain registries will help protect against pilfering of archaeological stores and provide at least some information short of publication on what is being found.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hello Peter:
You write...."Requiring archaeologists to maintain registries will help protect against pilfering of archaeological stores and provide at least some information short of publication on what is being found."
Sensible indeed, but unworkable, particularly when government officials and/or departments connive with bent archaeologists to have valuable artefacts popped into Diplomatic Bags (contrary to international conventions) to evade import and Customs' controls. It has happened before and is probably a widespread practice and not solely the preserve of crooked British archaeologists out for an easy Buck.
Regards
John Howland
UK
Post a Comment