What Is to be Done in Syria? Larry Rothfield

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Larry Rothfield is a guest blogger on the blog of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR). His topic is 'Protecting Archaeological Sites in Conflict Zones: What Is to be Done in Syria?' (Posted on October 2, 2012 by jennfitz) 

Missing from those earlier pronouncements, and also largely absent from those being made now, are specific, pointed, and actionable steps that could and should be taken to minimize future damage from both military action and from civilian looting, in Syria and other future conflicts. Instead, advocates have been offering proposals that are vague and often unrealistic.[...]

and a mention of the antiquities market:

• The international demand for antiquities drives the looting, and therefore any effective anti-looting strategy must confront the market. The question is how. It is demonstrable that a worldwide ban on trade in antiquities from a wartorn country can substantially reduce the rate of digging. Unfortunately, this only works well with categories of antiquities whose country of origin is unique – not the case for most Syrian or Libyan antiquities. But if a ban is of little use, there is another way in which the licit market in antiquities could be of help. A tax could be levied on purchases, by American buyers, of high-end antiquities in those categories, and the proceeds used to pay for better international policing, assistance to locals trying to protect their sites, more site guards, monitoring systems, and programs like the ICCROM course mentioned above.
• Last, but not least, archaeologists and heritage protection advocates need to find a way to enlist in their efforts the other major stakeholders, those with the wealth and power to make politicians listen: the directors of museums like the Met and the Getty; corporations like Google that are already helping; antiquities collectors who have shown their public-spiritedness by endowing institutes and donating collections; even dealers and auction houses. That might be a bitter pill to swallow for archaeologists, and it would require a change in the modus operandi of international organizations much more comfortable dealing with governments. But we need a louder voice.

Oh, I can see it now, dealers and collectors paying an antiquities tax and calling for an end to the supply of fresh items to the market. Like that is really going to happen.