tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post5687045040116794138..comments2024-02-22T10:35:12.485-08:00Comments on Cultural Property Observer: ISIS HAD A BOOK WITH PICTURES OF COINS IN IT!Cultural Property Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05924359202414555962noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-47447769783860541242015-07-02T15:14:56.829-07:002015-07-02T15:14:56.829-07:00I think the same was said not just by coin dealers...I think the same was said not just by coin dealers on Iraq and now Syria. Jim McAndrew, a former high ranking Customs official, has said the same thing. In any case, the other options are that not as much is being looted as claimed, it is going instead to the Gulf States or it is being warehoused. The third claim was also made after the Iraq war, but it never surfaced. Basically, I suspect its a combination of not as much material being looted as claimed and what is going out is going out to the Gulf States. i can't foreclose the possibility some material is coming here, but it does not seem to be coming in any quantity. Cultural Property Observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05924359202414555962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-51118883361527990472015-07-02T14:20:29.294-07:002015-07-02T14:20:29.294-07:00The map shows archaeological sites in Hawran, an a...The map shows archaeological sites in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauran" rel="nofollow">Hawran</a>, an area in southwestern Syria near Jordan. The lines I had assumed were rivers seem to have been elevation data.<br /><br />It is, or was, difficult to get topological maps in Syria. It is possible the fighter wanted the book <b>for this map</b>. However, as it was found with a book on Egyptian antiquities it seems more likely the fighter wanted the book for the antiquities rather than the topography.<br /><br />After the looting of the Baghdad museum many coin dealers went on record saying there was no sudden influx of antiquities from the region. I am curious if those in the coin trade are seeing Syrian material appearing. I suspect displaced Syrians would be selling of family heirlooms independent of ISIS. Is there more Syrian material that is new to the market appearing? I have not seen it, but I have not been looking.Ed Sniblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17346392312959087285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-31547762593200562012015-07-02T14:07:51.415-07:002015-07-02T14:07:51.415-07:00Thanks. Good detective work on Ute's part, bu...Thanks. Good detective work on Ute's part, but there can be many reasons why they had such a book. The most likely is that they stole it from a local museum, library, academic or collector and kept it because they thought it had some value. The concern I have is that such slim evidence is being used to hype a claim that ISIS is making millions off selling antiquities, here ancient coins. This would be all good fun except for the fact that such claims are being used to justify problematical legislation both here and in Germany. Cultural Property Observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05924359202414555962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-7228081386894903342015-07-02T14:00:48.417-07:002015-07-02T14:00:48.417-07:00Ute has identified the book. It's Archéologie...Ute has <a href="http://www.anspocketchange.org/isis-numismatics-and-conflict-antiquities/" rel="nofollow">identified the book</a>. It's <i>Archéologie et Histoire de la Syrie II</i>.Ed Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348737439160159891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-87115196794836600472015-06-06T13:26:02.964-07:002015-06-06T13:26:02.964-07:00That's true. Why do they need mere "coin...That's true. Why do they need mere "coineys" to help them?Cultural Property Observerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05924359202414555962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3279887958085077691.post-46952829159871097542015-06-06T11:33:56.628-07:002015-06-06T11:33:56.628-07:00I believe that if the identity of that book could ...I believe that if the identity of that book could somehow be established, the archaeological blogosphere and twitterdom would then find reasons to advocate more restrictive regulations affecting importation of ancient coins into the USA.<br /><br />It accordingly seems sensible to allow the said blogosphere and twitterdom to rely upon its own vast and encyclopedic knowledge resources to identify that, and any other objects, which they are interested in.<br /><br />After all they have the expertise of Dr. Elkins to assist them. Judging by what they have said about Elkins, they believe that his academic qualifications are such as to make him a superior resource to any and all professional numismatists who sell coins for a living, or represent numismatic organizations.Dave Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07255744164675503973noreply@blogger.com