First, in order to understand the effects of looting, one must first understand what exactly looting is. Looting is the unscientific and nonarchaeological removal of artifacts and cultural heritage items from archaeological/cultural heritage sites and/or museums. Looting does not have to occur by an individual in possession of the artifact or cultural heritage item but can occur by others who are known to be the possessor of the artifact or item. Individuals who purchase looted items are still participating in looting as they are the consumers of looted products and fuel the illicit antiquities trade.
Many individuals who participate in looting may not be aware of their role, particularly as cultural norms and values vary and often do not frown upon such acts, but there are some very real and negative consequences of looting that do affect everyone: archaeologists and the public at large. Archaeologists are affected by looting, particularly of actively excavated sites, because they lose potential information concerning the culture they are studying. This loss of information robs the archaeologist(s) of fulling understanding the past, which can cause misinterpretations of past cultures. These misinterpretations of culture and loss of our cultural past do not just affect archaeology but deprive the public of understanding the past. There is also a loss of cultural identity for groups that claim affiliation with the past culture under exploration. This consequence may not seem like it is a big deal, but it really is, particularly in cases where that history is necessary to verify land claims, legitimize cultural identity, or produce a better understanding of one's cultural identity caused by cultural loss.
Due to the public's appetite for "ancient artifacts", many looters have taken to purposefully copying artifacts that they find. These copies are often indistinguishable from the original, ancient or historical artifacts. I met a looter once who admitted that he had gotten so good at copying archaeologically local arrowheads that even he could not tell the difference between his copies and the originals he stole. These imitations are often sold as real, which he admitted to me he consistently did, and they pollute the "market" and record with inaccurate information about the past. Because of these inaccuracies, archaeologists are ethically required not to study or analyze artifacts from looted contexts because these artifacts cannot be verified as real or faked. The studying of faked artifacts risks producing inaccurate and/or misinterpreted information about past groups, which leads to the same problems mentioned in the previous paragraph.
Acts of looting negatively affect archaeologists and the public alike because these are illegal activities and therefore the perpetrators have no problem participating in other illegal acts, such as murder or terrorism. Several years ago, it came across the archaeological listserves that an archaeologist was killed in Peru by a looter. The archaeologist was simply walking the grounds of the archaeological site, surveying the area for future excavations, when she was shot to death by a looter who was terrified of being turned in. This risk is present for the general public, as well, at various archaeological sites around the world, as well. Visitors to the site of Chan-Chan in Peru are warned by the Site Employees not to deviate from the route on the map they are given as due to the potential for running into a "huaquero" and potentially falling victim to a very serious crime, including but not limited to murder.
In addition, the illicit antiquities trade has been linked to funding acts of terrorism (Art As Financing for Terrorists?, Der Spiegel, 2005). It was reported that one of the 9/11 hijackers sold "ancient artifacts" in order to fund his terrorism efforts. The illicit antiquities trade has also be linked to other serious crimes, such as drug trafficking. As previously mentioned, many of those who participate in looting activities also participate in other illegal activities, and the scale of these activities is poorly understood at this time due to the covert nature of all illegal activities.
What can you do in order to assist in stopping looting and the illicit antiquities trade? There are many things you can do, and these acts range from small to big, simple to more complex. A small and simple act is to NOT participate in the purchasing of "ancient artifacts". Many people believe that they are "saving the artifact" or "rescuing the past" by purchasing it. Once the artifact is removed from its original context in an unscientific manner, it is considered lost, and little to nothing can be done to save it. Save your money and do more good by not providing the market with consumers, which is believed to be one of the best ways of ending the illicit antiquities trade.
Another way to assist in this problem is become educated on your local history and area, as well as about the effects of looting, and, in turn, educate individuals around you about the real costs of looting.
Patronize museums and institutions that ethically acquire artifacts and cultural heritage items. Do not support or visit museums and institutions that do not participate in ethical research, excavations, or research.
Support campaigns against looting. Many local sites have anti-looting campaigns and initiatives associated with them, providing you a local resource to participate in. There are also larger organizations, such as SAFE, that address looting issues at a global scale. SAFE has several opportunities for individuals wishing to participate, ranging from public lectures to internships.
Ultimately, every small step against the illicit antiquities trade will help in resolving this and the related issues described herein. Believing that you can make a difference, no matter how small or how large, is the first and most profound step in ending looting. Coming together, each and everyone of us, can and will make a difference in ending looting and the illicit antiquities trade.
ADDENDUM (5/31/13): My friend's husband is currently excavating in Peru, and he posted the following about his excavation: The Loot Fairy. It is very appropriate to this post and couldn't have been better timed.
ADDENDUM (5/31/13): My friend's husband is currently excavating in Peru, and he posted the following about his excavation: The Loot Fairy. It is very appropriate to this post and couldn't have been better timed.
18 comments:
Logan Daily
Why Dumpster Diving? I guess I need to read the first one now to find out. It is sad that some people are only concerned with money and don't care about preserving history. I've always heard about Egyptian tombs being looted and historical items being faked. It is a shame people do that. Why does someone need a historical artifact that belongs in a museum in their homes. Private collectors around the world are stealing our history.
Logan, you can find part 1 of this three part post here: http://humerusrevelations.blogspot.com/2013/04/dumpster-diving-dirty-truth-behind.html
If the laws treated looting as a lower form of treason against a government, maybe it would stop. Sadly this will not happen look at all the people who still wear fur goods after blood has been spilled on them. When we change the peoples view on archaeological artifacts in the fact that they need to be kept in museums or at the site in where they where found and not in the persons house, we will have a better respect for our future by preserving our past.
This artcle reminds me of when i use to look for placis bottles to recyle and use for money
Briana banuelos 102 1001
most people just want the money when it comes to artifacts because they know what people well pay for them. the governments law is not truly wrong for this against looters and thieves making copies is just their way of making money by missing everything up.
So if a site has been looted nothing can be examined? This is a shame especially when we need to know the why's and how's of how we became to be.. I can not remember the last time i went to a museum, but i might just give it a shot. Of course Hollywood has not helped with their Indiana Jones movies or the video game developers with Tomb Raider. If we as a culture were more involved at looking to the past for incite into our future , we would have a better understanding of ourselves as a people and maybe in the end be more civil towords each other
It's not that nothing can be examined. That which has been removed from its original context cannot be accurately examined and typically is not as a result, but if part of the site is untouched then that part of the site can be systematically excavated and analyzed. This sometimes happens, but that ultimately depends on the type of looting that takes place. If it is one person then there is a better chance of part of the site being untouched. If, however, the site is bulldozed or bombed, which happens quite a bit (even in the US), then the site is likely to have untouched parts.
This reminded me of the episode of Sherlock with artifacts from ancient Chinese dynasties were being smuggled. Parts of history get lost by greed. I wonder how much of history's details are wrong from all that has been looted.
Continuing with Rhonni's post, this also reminded me of the show "Pawn Stars" where individuals bring in items and are (most of the time) told that they are not real. Although, there are many times in which the items are considered "real", this blog makes me think back on how many items can potentially be fake and are just making these individuals rich on money that is unethically received. I really didn't know that looting was such a big problem, but with my son being 50% Native American, I personally see how much of his heritage is disappearing, especially in McDermitt where travelling is becoming more common. I personally would feel extreme guilt knowing that I am taking something that means so much to a culture or person. I also believe in Karma, and I hope the people who participate in these illegal actions become aware of the consequences because cultures are dying and forgotten about because these artifacts are no longer accessible. Imagine if art within the renaissance era or items from the Civil War were no longer around because irresponsible individuals were just giving them away or ruining them. Our history as a country would be lost. History is so important and teaches us so many things, its a shame that rules and laws have to even be produced to prevent such an act.
It's interesting to learn that you can't study a site that has been looted. I also find it amazing that some of the forgers can make them so good that they themselves cant tell the difference.
Do you believe if people came together and turned in there artifacts that were found on private and public land more history could be found out about or own culture if people were truthful about holding others property?
Unfortunately, no. An artifact is kind of worthless without the contextual information that goes with it. I can look at a projectile point and say that it is that, but I have no way of telling if it is a real projectile point (versus a fabricated one) or how it was used. Just a couple of days ago I had a student admit that he "makes arrowheads" as a hobby, which is cool, but even he said that he cannot tell the difference between those he manufactures vs those he has found. Therefore, as stated in class and in this series of blog posts, it is best to just leave the artifact and let the professionals handle it.
Understanding why you can't study a certain site because it's been looted is crazy to me. There are so many different perspectives that can be brought upon this particular situation and it's completely limited.
I had no idea the different crimes such as terrorism and drug trafficking is sometimes linked back to looting!
I had no idea the distance that people went and still will go just to make some money off of the stolen artifacts. It really opens your eyes too, when you realize that looting, murder, and terrorism are very closely connected.
--Kimberly Wilbers
Once people view on archaeological artifacts change then maybe they will understand how important these type of things are and why they need to be kept in special places. - Alexis Buford
Who would have thought that drug trafficking would connect back to looting? This article was very interesting!
-jasmine busby
I don’t see the point of looting. I know most people do it for money. Artifacts to me would be a very priceless thing. Mainly because it can have a lot of meaning to it. Or a lot of history to it as well. But that's something that doesn’t help the case either. People are stripping away history that could be beneficial to some. Or even correct history.
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