tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post8503550492303145191..comments2024-03-27T04:46:33.198-07:00Comments on Portable Antiquity Collecting and Heritage Issues: Swede Accused in Auschwitz Theft Case to be Tried in PolandPaul Barfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10443302899233809948noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-36971910263411841382010-02-14T02:14:34.896-08:002010-02-14T02:14:34.896-08:00I think they apply to any artefacts which come fro...I think they apply to any artefacts which come from a particular context where for various reasons they would be better left and which are subject to commercial exploitation for collection.Paul Barfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10443302899233809948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-24850968875877249542010-02-14T02:08:41.646-08:002010-02-14T02:08:41.646-08:00Yes, I like the way you use the argument from the ...Yes, I like the way you use the argument from the Auschwitz sign. My point about the artifacts, etc from concentration camps, was that the same arguments apply to them, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-18822271844711540322010-02-13T10:08:04.894-08:002010-02-13T10:08:04.894-08:00What I was trying to examine was the arguments of ...What I was trying to examine was the arguments of the pro-collecting lobby as regards collection of archaeological artefacts by putting them in a slightly different context.The Arbeit Mach Frei sign was made into a portable antiquity by severing it from the site of which it forms an integral part, in the same way as "portable antiquity" archaeological collectables are severed from THEIR context to serve the selfish aims of the buyers and sellers. In the case of the sign, it is clear that what happened was wrong (unless you are the person with the hacksaw up a ladder in the middle of the night in Oswiecim), where do you draw the line?<br /><br />As regards the second question (and I am not quite sure of the reason behind it), the answer is yes - but remember not all concentration camps were death camps in the sense that Auschwitz- Brzezinka. Neither were they all for Jews. There are metal detectorists who search camp sites, most of what I have seen on sale here though are dogtags from military POWs- both whole and halved. Not all of the many subcamps sites are protected by law. There are also those who collect Nazi prison camp postage stamps and letters sent out of the camps. So, yes memorabilia of this type is collected. As far as the stamps and letters go (many of which are of course fakes) I'm not so sure it is wrong, I do not approve of the metal detected dogtags though. Let us not mention those that go with metal detectors into the woods where cremated ashes were tipped to find the gold fillings the Nazis missed. Few of us would have any dificulty condemning that I hope, even though strictly speaking it is not illegal. There are many sides to this hobby labelled "metal detecting".Paul Barfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10443302899233809948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174756573570334952.post-88245405111309658802010-02-13T09:19:28.391-08:002010-02-13T09:19:28.391-08:00Excellent arguments re. why leaving stuff in place...Excellent arguments re. why leaving stuff in place matters-- work well for monuments, and I'll remember them the next time i think / discuss Parthenon frieze (or Bassae frieze, etc). <br /><br />But are there people who collect e.g. "souvenirs" extracted from concentration camps ? Shoes, spoons, artifacts ? Would they also be touched by such arguments, or would they prefer to open their ears to the "OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY" merchandising ?<br /><br />JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com