I'm not sure if this has been posted here, but the following link to a BBC article seems to make it plain that the cultural police are cracking down. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43146036
"In Spain alone, police seized more than 2,000 culturally significant items. Most of these were coins from the Roman Empire and archaeological objects made of ceramic, metal and stone." It's so frustrating that these misguided policies continue to deem coins "culturally significant items". With this logic the US should require cultural repatriation of all 3 cent nickels, 3 cent dimes, 20 cent pieces, Morgan dollars, etc. Ridiculous.
thats good news..it means, they will return all artefacts from all major museums to the countries of origin..he he..
That is another war, mate. The news kindly shared by @Bing refers to the crackdown of a present and massive pan-european organized crime network. My company works with many European museums and I have never had any case of looting or illegal traffic of antiques (and I've been organizing expos and exhibitions for more than 25 years...).
l know, l been just joked little bit..l recall time from 100-200 years ago, when noblemans and explorers picked up along the way artefacts, statues and coins and legalized as their property..all in all, good post from BING..
Interesting read. Thanks @Bing The article right below it made me worry a little. This fellow was on his way home with his family and just 12 coins may cost him 3 years in a Turkish prison! http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-41026849
These news bits need to be taken with a grain of salt. Often times what the police seize are poor quality fakes and junk items. But when they brag about their success they make absurd claims of huge value. I used to belong to an antiquities discussion group and we saw this all the time and had a good laugh at how the police and governments were being scammed just like the collectors.
Agree with Ken. Look at the first picture. They've spent lots of taxppayer money and seized JUNK! I'd be willing to bet that the Red Figure Pottery in the photo at the bottom of the article has nothing to do with the actual seizures.
He has since been released. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4895635/toby-robyns-turkish-jail-coins-fight-the-executioner/ "He was released after telling a court he plucked the artefacts off the seabed while snorkelling and a Turkish court threw the case out. "Now back at home in Southwick, West Sussex, he claims he was caged alongside Islamic State terrorists and forced to fight for his life against an inmate who looked like “Satan in a T-shirt”.
I agree with ye but caution should be exercised when generalizing. INTERPOL, for example, has some vera good chiefs and pros advisors in the cultural heritage. The real problem is the bowkin specialization of the cops in each countrie . Sometimes their interviews after an ´Operation´ are fully embarrassing or straightforwardly hilarious and reveal verra serious deficiencies in his formation.
