Isn't this going to be an entirely subjective
question.  The value of something is subjective.  How
would you quantify it, dollars and cents?

Seems to me that, even in this forum, the responses
one would proffer are going to be based and/or skewed
from one's own frame of reference.

Some part of this answer is going to be tied to the
emotions of how closely someone else is related to the
materials.  To the Iraqi people (still can't figure
out why it's not Iraqui), those are the treasures of
their direct ancestors.  For the world at large, those
who cling to Judaica, Christianity, or Muslimism may
say these are our ancestors.  I'm not sure what that
does to Lucy and other ancestors that have been
provent to derive from places other than the Middle
East, but that's another debatable point.

What I heard on the news last night is this would be
tantamount--for Americans--to having the Smithsonian
and the Library of Congress ransacked and razed.




--- Jay Heuman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello Betty:
>
> The items destroyed/stolen in Baghdad were of
> extreme international
> value, but no more or less than and the hypothetical
> destruction/theft
> of the Constitution/Liberty Bell.  The Constitution
> and the Liberty Bell
> are symbolic of the reenergizing of a
> representational form of democracy
> that has, history indicates, affected the rest of
> the world.  Consider
> the number of nations that
> modified/overthrew/replaced feudal and
> monarchical systems.
>
> To try to say which item(s) is/are "more valuable"
> is academically
> irresponsible and offensive.  The qualitative
> evaluation of history is,
> thankfully, an antiquated practice developed by
> Eurocentric academicians
> but dismissed by the vast majority of contemporary
> historians.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Jay Heuman
> Visitor & Volunteer Services Coordinator
> Joslyn Art Museum
>


=====
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