NYTimes "broken laws" allow ISIS to Profit From Looted Antiquities

http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2015/12/11/isis-artifact-financing.cnnmoney/

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-real-value-of-the-isis-antiquities-trade

 

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I have lots of opinions on this, several that aren't reconcilable with each other. I think there is no unifying solution to this issue so priorities must divide the topic into manageable problems.

I will propose this if the primary goal is to protect the cultural heritage:

Western and regional governments should encourage collectors to buy these antiquities or should buy them themselves like Britian does with local finds. If they have value to whomever is extracting them, the looters will take care of them until they can sell them and hopefully get them in the hands of responsible humans and out of the situation where they risk being destroyed and lost forever. It's peanuts in "financing" terrorism costs but is priceless in terms of irreplaceable artifacts that will otherwise be destroyed. At least until the powers that be finally destroy these guys for good and civilization takes over again in these areas and can shut the looting down.

Instead, punishing collectors will ensure metal artifacts such as coins and jewelry will be melted down for bullion sale, artifacts destroyed because it will be more fun to drop an an amphora off the top of a building since you can't sell it, or destroy major items while filming it for publicity value. Collectors and museums in stable socities will be the caretakers for future generations until this passes.

 

That is an interesting piece to read. And exactly the kind of discussion I was looking for. Thanks for the link.

 

Hmm...guess I should read the links...

 

Only if you want to learn.

 

I recommend the link (from above) about "Something does not add up."
http://www.artsjournal.com/realcleararts/2016/01/antiquities-and-isis-something-doesnt-add-up.html?

 

Link to some discussion, links, etc., including messages from the collecting community:

http://www.artsjournal.com/realclea...s-something-doesnt-add-up.html#comment-308939