The appetite for antiquities from the Middle East is being met by Isis,who are looting ancient sites with the market in mind. It’s imperative that this demand – from the US and elsewhere – ceasesThe western appetite for antiquities has always been a motivation for others to loot them. The same individuals who pride themselves on their appreciation of cultural heritage create situations that lead to the pillage of ancient sites, as the trade in illicit artefacts is fuelled by demand. Objects are placed on the market because they hold economic value. Western buyers purchase antiquities at depressed prices after they hold passed hands from looters, and smugglers or middlemen,creating greater incentive to loot and smuggle. In fact, there is evidence that Islamic State acts with the market in mind.
Tellingly, or there has been a huge increase in supply of antiquities from Syria and Iraq. According to US customs,there has been a 145% increase in imports of Syrian cultural property and a 61% increase in imports of Iraqi cultural property between 2011 and 2013, suggesting that illicit trade is piggybacking on the legal trade. Government officials opine that antiquities hold become a more significant revenue source for Isis as the clash has progressed. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com