Product Description

Colin Renfrew illustrates how the most precious product of archaeology is the information that excavations can illuminate about out shared human past. Yet the illicit digging of archaeological sites for gain - i.e. looting - is destroying the context in which archaeological findings can be understood, as well as sabotaging the most valued information. Today’s art market is rife with the antiquities pilfered by these archaeological looters.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #324788 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780715630341
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Customer Reviews

A well thought-out position on this tricky issue.
I think a reader must approach all books on the issue of cultural patrimony with careful deference to differing sensibilities that exist on the issue. This book is presented from the standpoint of a very aggressive, European concept of patrimony, focusing (as its title implies) on the illicit looting of antiquities and their summary introduction into the free market antiquities trade (a practice which is disdained by anyone of conscience)

The book presents a mindful case on the nuances of antiquities ownership and buying, with a heavy emphasis on the importance of documented provenance. While I don't personally agree with all of the philosophical ideas promoted by the author, he certainly presents his position in a very professional and intelligent manner, worthy of consideration by everyone.

The only area where this book is slightly lacking was in addressing the issue of "old collection" antiquities, that often times were unapologetically assembled as a direct result of site looting- back during an age when such practices were viewed with far more permissiveness than they are today. This issue creates a very tricky nexus between private property rights and cultural patrimony rights that just doesn't have a morally clear, easy answer.

Overall, as a book, this one is a definite four stars. While not presented as a balanced perspective on the issue, it doesn't purport itself to be such, thus, it holds much validity as work of well thought-out opinion, representing one side of a two sided issue.

Helpful and informative.
There isn't much to say really except that this book helped me tremendously with writing my university essay and has enlightened me on the issues of who owns the past. 4 stars. :D