Folks
I have appreciated this discussion about where does the concern for
the preservation of heritage give way to our concern for the
preservation of human life. I've also appreciated the thinking that
maybe we should be able to do both. These things are a constant
dilemma we face here in Australia, as they are in all countries where
the Indigenous population still exists and still has a strong
cultural heritage. A heritage that is constantly being studied by
'western' scientific thought, i.e. archaeology.
The discussion has been of more interest most recently given the
flooding that has occurred across eastern Australia and the cyclone
activity in the north of Queensland. A discussion began early on in
the flooding, on a local mailing list, about the affect the floods
may be having upon the archaeological record. The debate was quietly
put aside when one individual suggested we should be concerned more
with the human cost that was unfolding at the time and not the
potential damage to archaeological material and places. I found
myself agreeing totally with this view.
BUT, your discussion of the looting in Egypt has broadened my
outlook. I'm not sure my view has changed on the local issues, i.e.
the situation here in flooded Australia (remembering that portions of
Western Australia have been burning throughout the flood crisis ...)
but I've certainly benefited from the discussion about the Egyptian
scenario.
Also, I agree with Ben Edwards' comment on the fact that maybe the
criticism leveled at Sarah and Allison's initial message was a little
harsh. One criticism was (I think) the call for US intervention was
inappropriate (my apologies if I have muddled this up). As I recall,
my original interpretation of the message was that it was a call for
the appropriate authorities to be more vigilant on the passing of
significant items into the US and entering the heritage 'market',
rather than a call for direct intervention into the crisis on the
ground in Egypt.
Apologies if I'm passing over old and settled ground here.
Sincerely
Graham Knuckey PhD
Consultant Archaeologist
Queensland Australia
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