"There is a simple, rational, and convincing response. It is this: the 
destruction of unique, irreplaceable archaeological sites to satisfy 
the appetites of the so-called "universal" museums is totally 
unacceptable. The museums cannot justify fencing stolen goods, and they 
betray their missions by furthering the destruction of historical and 
cultural evidence. The proper solution is for the "universal" museums 
to negotiate with the source countries, obtaining loans and traveling 
exhibitions. Worldwide human heritage should be protected from all 
clandestine, illegal exploitation, whether it is stimulated by the 
demands of private collectors or by "universal" museums. What is called 
for now, and urgently called for, is legitimate acquisitions policies 
by the world's museums. The Met should follow the example of the 
British Museum, which has recently adopted and disseminated an 
acceptable new acquisition policy."

- Malcolm Bell [Professor of Art History, University of Virginia and VP 
AIA]

see "Spinning a Tale", Archaeology on-line, 3 March 2006,

http://www.archaeology.org/online/interviews/bell.html




On May 17, 2006, at 2:59 PM, indigo wrote:

> Hello,
>
> The following story from the Sacramento Bee (http://www.sacbee.com)
> was sent to you by: indigo ([log in to unmask]).
>
> And indigo had this to say:
>
> A rather thought-provoking article.
>
> You can read this story in its entirety on the web at:
> http://www.sacbee.com/24hour/opinions/story/3289091p-12123043c.html
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> RANDY SALZMAN: Removing relics vs. preserving history
>
> Last Updated  3:17 pm PDT Tuesday, May 16, 2006
> (CMS) - It took trips to opposite corners of the globe to
> settle my
> opinion as to whether museums' collections represented the
> "preservation" or "theft" of other cultures' artifacts.
>
> In Australia, the Melbourne Museum broadcasts this debate
> through a video featuring actors playing two 19th-century
> historical
> figures - a museum curator and an Aboriginal chieftain. Baldwin
> Spencer, who collected 5,000 objects from indigenous Aboriginals,
> argued that anthropology preserved history. Irrapwe, an Arrernte
> leader
> known as "King Charley," argued it was theft of culture.
>

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