2013: 'Studying photos of mosaics smuggled from Apamea proves most of them fake'

Studying photos of mosaics smuggled from Apamea proves most of them fake

19/11/2013 - عدد القراءات : 2548

According to recent information, antiquities forgery has been active in some areas in Syria lately. A team of DGAM’s experts in ancient mosaics conducted a study on a number of photos of mosaic panels believed to be stolen and smuggled from Apamea site; the study showed that most of them were fake despite the good quality and sophistication put into their making.
The DGAM received those photos from some residents of the area. The photos represent themes inspired by Greek mythology and popular images in Syria and the western regions of the Roman Empire in North Africa and Europe, Turkey in particular. Nevertheless, the team’s technical, mythological and scientific assessment of the mosaic panels suggested that they were most probably fake.
Thus, the DGAM would like to shed light on the efforts made by members of the local community all over Syria and the significance of their cooperation in preserving and protecting the archaeological heritage and reducing the impact of the damage affecting it.

some of the photos attached to this news item show some very nice artworks, better than the mermaid rape scene. ARCA adds: "There are/were workshops in/around the towns near Ma'arrat al-Nu'man that produce(d) mosaics exported legally. Kafr Nebel south of Idlib province was the cradle of this craft. The impact of war is the common thread between unemployment and increase in fakes".

hat tip ARCA @ARCA_artcrime · 1 godz.