tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post1666535780884516797..comments2024-02-22T10:35:12.485-08:00Comments on Cultural Property Observer: Brodie's Analysis of the Market in Iraqi AntiquitiesCultural Property Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05924359202414555962noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-14174808701006143772009-01-05T09:10:00.000-08:002009-01-05T09:10:00.000-08:00Neil Brodie, and others of his persuasion, are qui...Neil Brodie, and others of his persuasion, are quick to toss out statements of "fact" without specific background. Shotgun analysis and the assembling of "evidence" to support a preconceived notion are pretty much the repertoire of these learned individuals. I always have found this peculiar, in as much as academia prides itself on citation of reliable and accessible sources. It also seems peculiar to me that they escape the criticism of their peers for this unprofessional tactic when the academic peer review system would make hash of similar unsupported statements made in any other arena. A rise in legitimate market sales of any or all artifacts, in and of itself, is hardly evidence of looting. A more rational observation is that the worldwide rise in prosecution of "cultural property looters" (widely publicized in the media) provides a compelling argument that source nations are getting a handle on law enforcement. Misdirected polemics against the legitimate trade and private collectors are not only ineffective and unfair but also unnecessary.Wayne G. Sayleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443529723963083983noreply@blogger.com