Potable Antiquities Officials Issue Statement

 

          photo uploaded by Susan Massari Lombardi       

The London-based Potable Antiquities Stream has issued a statement concerning allegations in the public domain concerning the reported disappearance of some potable antiquities in their care:

Certain allegations have recently surfaced concerning the location of certain items entrusted to our staff and their local partners. They are being treated with concern and full attention. The police have been invited to participate in the investigations from the outset.

We are sure the matter will be resolved in due course and a full report will be issued and steps taken to remedy any potential issues identified as a result. For obvious reasons, will not comment further prior to this. 

In the meanwhile, we would like to express our full support and confidence in the integrity and professionalism of all out regional partners, and stress that the British public should continue to feel justified in placing its trust in our organisation.

Bravo. This is unlike the similarly-named organization based in Bloomsbury, that weeks after certain allegations emerged, and ongoing discussions in news outlets and social media, have - as far as I can see - failed to address this issue (even with the blandest of generalities) in any public forum, allowing the rumours to swirl and damage to the Scheme's reputation to accumulate. Zero attempts at damage control. One might wonder why that is. Is that a lack of concern, incompetence of leadership, or a hope that if a problem is not talked about it will somehow fade away? 

I wrote to the Scheme almost three weeks days ago when the issue was raised in comments on this blog, from a metal detectorist accusing me of being part of a PAS cover-up (me!). 

I consider it highly unprofessional, of anyone, that twenty days later, I have not even received an acknowledgement of receipt of the original letter from the PAS, two subsequent reminders - let alone any kind of a reply. These people would not last long either in corporate Poland, nor in civil administration archaeology in Poland (14 days limit), no doubt the people responsible are glad they are employed in lackadaisical British archaeology and a smog-blackened museum in a little island off the coast of Europe.