According to a dugup antiquities dealer in the USA, the preservation ethic is a: malignant cancer gradually penetrating, pervading and corrupting the heart of our Government [which] must be removed at any cost and at all hazards, or it will inevitably destroy everything we stand for and all that we hold dear - including what we think of as the American way of life.[...] Only when the right to collect is indelibly embedded into US law by a Constitutional amendment (or some equivalent measure to the effect that the right to collect trumps any and all interests of archaeology and cultural affairs) will continuation of our traditional right to collect coins and other antiquities be permanently secured.So, sort of an extension of the 1973 Hobby Protection Act then? Would it make the trade in illegally exported coins and coins deemed stolen from state (common) ownership according to the laws of the country where obtained legal or illegal in the US? So why would the US pass laws which jeopardise its international relationships?
So are they going to repeal the Archaeological Resources Protection Act to allow the looting of collectables from ancient sites at home? Read the above with looting 'Injun' graves (and Judge Waddoups) in mind.
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2 comments:
Wow. Direct illustration of the connection between the no-questions ask collectors' movement, and US right-wing nuttery-- a connection you made several times, but this demonstrates it beautifully.
"Trumps any and all interests of archaeology"-- at least he says it ! No pretense that "this is about knowing the past too" !
Well, its the total inconsistency of their arguments which makes the whole sorry lot difficult to take seriously.
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