Likewise I suppose that if your priority is on bullying other people into adopting your point of view through scathing and derisive comments, I suppose you are right on the mark. I recognize that this is your talent. On the other hand, I see no 'evidence' that you have presented concerning anything-especially concerning the utility of enforcing antiquities laws, which I guess you don't think should exist. I certainly not impressed by any simplistic comparison of two cases like the UK and Austria, which you obliquely refer to, is of any reaching rational significance anyway nor that it pertains to circumstances here in the states. Besides the fact that consideration of two isolated cases carries about no scientific weight and is hardly evidence, there is the issue of entirely different histories and cultures concerning the collection of artifacts. Even if something works well in the UK, and I am not at all impressed by the coin hoard prospecting that goes on over there under govt sponsorship, there is no guarantee that it would be effective in the US, which has very different attitudes toward cultural heritage and private property. That's beside the fact that the archaeology here is utterly different.
Besides, your comments do not really pertain to the subject of my post, anyway. I was simply saying that, in the case when antiquities laws are enforced it might not hurt to highlight it. For the second time, I didn't say anything about new laws or enforcement. If you have an axe to grind on that I'd appreciate not being used as your straw man.
From: Tom King [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 2:39 PM
To: Speal, Charles S
Cc: [log in to unmask]; HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY
Subject: Re: ACRA-L - FBI Seizes cultural artifacts in Indiana
If your priority is on feeling good and noble and upright and warm and fuzzy about yourself, then you're right on target. If your interest is in protecting stuff in the ground or getting it documented and well cared for elsewhere, the evidence I've seen suggests that your approach isn't helpful. It's pretty much like alcohol and drugs -- some favor enforcement; others favor other approaches. I don't think the history of enforcement gives much reason to keep doing it, but I suppose it DOES make one feel moral and ethical, and there must be something in that.
TKing
Thomas F. King PhD, LLC
410 Windsor Street, Silver Spring MD 20910
240-475-0595, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Blogs: http://crmplus.blogspot.com/ & http://ameliaearhartarchaeology.blogspot.com/
Books: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-F.-King/e/B001IU2RWK/ref=la_B001IU2RWK_st?qid=1394198577&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB001IU2RWK&sort=daterank
On Thu, Apr 3, 2014 at 2:30 PM, Speal, Charles S <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Guess I'm of the view that far 'underground' is exactly where collecting belongs, as opposed to being popularized and sensationalized like it presently is by cable tv artifact / antiques fetishism.
Note that I am not proposing any new draconian laws or anything, simply a media characterization of looting archaeological sites as something unethical and wrong as opposed to something to be celebrated and fun to do on the weekend with your metal detector.
Scott Speal
From: Tom King [mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>]
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 1:53 PM
To: Speal, Charles S
Cc: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>; HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY
Subject: Re: ACRA-L - FBI Seizes cultural artifacts in Indiana
Wow, Scott, I think that's SO wrong. Have you seen the article (I forget where it was published, but I blogged about it) that reported a rigorous comparison of the U.K., with its relatively liberal laws on the subject, and Austria which basically throws you in jail and throws away the key? It provided good evidence that what heavy and well-publicized "enforcement" do is drive collecting underground, as it were. It may feel good to archaeologists, but arguably it only exacerbates the problem.
Tom King
Thomas F. King PhD, LLC
410 Windsor Street, Silver Spring MD 20910
240-475-0595<tel:240-475-0595>, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Blogs: http://crmplus.blogspot.com/ & http://ameliaearhartarchaeology.blogspot.com/
Books: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-F.-King/e/B001IU2RWK/ref=la_B001IU2RWK_st?qid=1394198577&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB001IU2RWK&sort=daterank
On Thu, Apr 3, 2014 at 1:02 PM, Speal, Charles S <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
In many ways, I think that the best possible counter to shows like NatGeo 'Diggers' would be a program that mixes 'Cops'-style busts of looters (perhaps like that linked below, although granted all the facts are not in on this case) with responsible (yet stimulating, which is unfortunately a bit rare) cultural resource investigations. What our industry needs is a talented spokesperson to engage the public in the media.
Too bad Neil de Grasse Tyson didn't take up archaeology...
Scott Speal
From: acra-l [mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 11:12 AM
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: ACRA-L - FBI Seizes cultural artifacts in Indiana
There seems to be a lot not said here, but the magnitude of the collection sounds staggering. Questions will definitely come out here about under what laws are they confiscating this collection.
Does anyone know more about this?
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/03/thousands-cultural-artifacts-seized/7244431/
Mike Polk
Sagebrush Consultants
Ogden, Utah
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