Returning Antiquities: Some Lessons
The 1970 UNESCO ‘Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property’ addressed the issue of “the illicit import, export and transfer of ownership of cultural property”. This was followed by the 1973 Archaeological Institute of America declaration
“The Archaeological Institute of America believes that Museums can henceforth best implement such cooperation by refusing to acquire through purchase, gift, or bequest cultural property exported subsequent to December 30, 1973, in violation of the laws obtaining in the countries of origin.”
Yet distinguished North American Museums kept acquiring.
And then came the raid on the Geneva Freeport and the seizure of Polaroids showing antiquities that had passed through the hands of the tombaroli.
So what are some of the lessons?
First, if the object was not known before 1970 the likelihood is that it was still resting in its archaeological context.
Second, objects that have been acquired “legally” could have been removed from their archaeological contexts illegally and unscientifically.
Third, reported histories of objects are worthless without certified documentation.
Fourth, newly smashed objects should suggest to conservators that the object is newly surfaced.
And why does this matter anyway?
First, there are material consequences with the irreversible destruction of the archaeological record.
Second, there are the intellectual consequences that hinder the interpretation of the archaeological material.
Is this a live issue?