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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Curtisimo, post: 2878888, member: 83845&quot;]I know of at least one globe trotting ancient Roman that found its way to the US (rediscovered by our own [USER=10461]@lordmarcovan[/USER]!). <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie12" alt="o_O" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><a href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/diggers-diary-the-arcadius-anomaly-repost-from-one-of-my-old-treasurenet-threads.287141/" class="internalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.cointalk.com/threads/diggers-diary-the-arcadius-anomaly-repost-from-one-of-my-old-treasurenet-threads.287141/">https://www.cointalk.com/threads/diggers-diary-the-arcadius-anomaly-repost-from-one-of-my-old-treasurenet-threads.287141/</a></p><p>In all seriousness though there have been Roman and Greek coins exchanged as currency found well outside the Roman Empire.&nbsp; The Indian imitations of the tribute penny come to mind as an example that illustrates how far ancient money traveled in large numbers.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Laws that aim to protect the integrity of an archaeological site that was specifically intended to contain a certain set of items by design seems reasonable to me.&nbsp; When I visit cultural sites abroad I always enjoy it if the site is as intact as possible or has a museum nearby that allows me to learn more about it.&nbsp; However, coins don&#039;t even broadly fit into this category (except possibly grave finds).&nbsp; Most coins come from hoards that were buried in an economic and not a cultural context.&nbsp; With coins there is no site integrity to protect because they were always meant as portable commodities (essentially bullion).</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Vases and jewelry were personal items of more than economic value to the people that owned them.&nbsp; Almost all of the vases (and a good portion of the jewelry) that come down to us were found in graves so yes it seems at least defensible to protect these items.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This is true but also raises the question of who has claim to the past under discussion.&nbsp; Is it the person(s)/state/country who currently owns the land?&nbsp; Is it the ancestors of the historical peoples who produced the objects?&nbsp; What if those peoples are no longer distinguishable?&nbsp; What if their ancestors have since migrated?&nbsp; What if the entity demanding their return is the party responsible for that groups displacement?</p><p><br /></p><p>I don&#039;t have the answers to any of the above I just think it demonstrates the hornets nest you can open when you try to start repatriating artifacts.&nbsp; Especially if those artifacts are being researched, studied and well cared for by foreign museums, scholars and collectors to the benefit of everyone.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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