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  Dilemas: Looted objects/ Unprovenanced objects

  Posted by freya on 7. mája 2006 at 6:43

  Monasterskystates that:
  “some archaeologists estimate that 95% of an object’s value is lost when it is looted”.

  Howard Carter in 1923 stated that:
  “Field work is all-important, and it is a sure and certain fact that if every excavation had been properly systematically, and conscientiously carried out, our knowledge of Egyptian archaeology would be at least 50% greater than it is. There are numberless derelict objects in the storerooms of our museums which would give us valuable information could they but tell us whence they came”.

  During the past decade of turmoil in Afghanistan, Kabul Museum has been virtually emptied and in other areas of the country sites have been plundered. Afghanistan’s rich history has now been smuggled out of the country and dispersed through collections all over the world.

  The Conservator’sDilema:

  Should they carry out treatment on an artifact?
  Arguments for:
  -at least by carrying out the work to professional standards the treatment will be fully documented and a record of the object will enter the public domain.
  -although the context is already lost at least the information embodied in the object is retained.

  Arguments against:
  -If they do, they can be said to be condoning the antiques trade.
  -they will be increasing market value.
  -Work and documentation can be used to give the object a level of respectability and authenticity.

  if a professional conservator does not carry out the work the owner will simply find someone less qualified to do it, the artifact may not receive the appropriate treatment and it may not be properly documented.

  freya odpovedal 17 years, 11 months ago 1 Člen · 1 Odpoveď

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  freya

  Member

  7. mája 2006 at 7:06

  Getty Museum`s Curator Stands Trial for Looted Antiquities:

  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5165575

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