Dont just Secure the Goods, Investigate the Crimes

David Gill has a new piece on the Miami seizure of a 21st dynasty coffin lid. On reading this I realised where the idea that the object might have left Egypt in the 1880s had originated, it was initially assumed for some reason to have come from one of the Deir El Bahari caches because it had been misuidentified as a royal coffin. More to the point, Gill notes pointedly:

The case is a reminder that there appear to be dealers and others associated with the movement of cultural property who still persist in bringing antiquities into the USA without the appropriate documentation. The case should also encourage the resolve of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as they seek to protect the world's cultural heritage.

I would say protecting the heritage is one thing, punishing those who knowingly defy the law in this regard thus encouraging the damage should be the aim. A series of dawn raids on the homes and offices of dealers and others associated with the movement of cultural property who still persist in bringing antiquities into the any country without the appropriate documentation might bring these laws to the attention of the dealers and importers.

Don't just Secure the Goods, Investigate the Crimes
Don't just Seize the Antiquities, Seize the Culture Criminals.

..