Questionable Claims on ISIS and Syrian Antiquities

Peter Tompa has excelled himself this time. A masterful survey from one of America's top cultural property experts:

Knowledgeable cultural property observers have been frustrated that questionable claims about Syria, ISIS and antiquities trade continue to be actively promoted as part of the archaeological lobby's campaign in support of H.R. 1493/S. 1887, problematic legislation that purports to address protecting cultural property in times of war and civil strife. In honor of the New Year, CPO counts down the top five (5) dubious claims made in 2015 in support of this legislation that would create a new State Department coordination and enforcement bureaucracy and place what amounts to permanent import restrictions on Syrian cultural goods. Hopefully, questions about the accuracy of these claims will also lead to questions about the wisdom of the Senate passing H.R. 1493/S. 1887 in its current form.

Read more here: Cultural Property Observer, "2015's Questionable Claims on ISIS and Syrian Antiquities: To Hopes for More Accuracy and Less Hype in 2016" Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Probably the post on ISIS and Iraqi artefacts will appear next week.