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Archaeological heritage. The rape and looting of Iraq's archaeological heritage continues. Not only do unscrupulous dealers supply wealthy patrons, but one step further, wealthy patrons/collectors also commission the theft of certain items. Hence the items never even come onto the open market, but are incorporated within private collections. One of the most well-known persons who indulges in this 'hobby' is the proprietor of a fabulous jewellery store at the Hilton Hotel in London. But his real interest is in artefacts, and I understand that he has in his possession pieces from Nineveh. He is hoping to donate his 'collections' eventually to a museum! The illicit trade in antiquities robs a country of its heritage, giving just a few scraps of sustenance to the villagers who participate. It is part of a much larger mafia-type organisation that preys off a country which is unable to maintain the necessary organisation to protect its sites, due to the lack of equipment (cars etc.). The pillage of antiquities is a serious by-product of the sanctions. Erica C. D. Hunter (Dr.) Taylor-Schechter Genizah Research Unit, University Library, Cambridge ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright reserved. Dr Erica C D Hunter. E-mail: ecdh1@cus.cam.ac.uk ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To be removed/added, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk, NOT the whole list. Archived at http://linux.clare.cam.ac.uk/~saw27/casi/discuss.html