The looting of Iraq continues apace

[Geoffrey S]

But how do the current inhabitants have any more right to archeological finds than anyone else? The current states weren't in existence when such items and sites were created; the Greeks of the fifth century BC have no more a direct connection with the Greeks of now than any other nation. Such relics are world heritages and should be treated as such.

[TevashSzat]

The artifacts are on the country's land so technically it is that of the country's I guess

[Geoffrey S]

Well, sure. But if that country doesn't (or can't) take responsible care of such heritage sites, should they be allowed such a role?

[doc_bean]

I think the military has a more important duty: trying to save as many lives as possible. It's the 21th century, anything remotely interesting there should have been investigated already and photographs or duplicates should exist. I'm all for history, but are we going to value a piece of 2000year old pottery above a human life ?

[rory_20_uk]

And so in cases such as the Taliban in Afghanistan (or the Communists in China) go on a rampage destroying items hundreds or thousands of years old do we just shrug our collective shoulders?

Lives are ten a penny. If we cared about lives we'd all donate to Oxfam as they save far more lives per buck.

I agree that every 1,000 year old cup isn't worth it, but many are.

[doc_bean]

I agree that every 1,000 year old cup isn't worth it, but many are.

Some historic evidence can be worth more than a life, perhaps, but like I said, archeologists have had plenty of time took around already, I'd assume anything important is already well documented enough. Other than information, historical pieces only hold sentimental value, and I won't easily value that over a life.

EDIT: I hardly see the value in a cup though, unless it has drawings on it perhaps, or contains remainders of food, a cup by itself is pretty worthless. Pottery barn will happily supply you with as many as you'd ever need.
The Buddha statues in Afghanistan were a different matter alltogether, first of all because it wasn't an if situation, there would have been nothing lost if they still stood, and second of all because they were a 'wonder' a rare (in scope) and unique achievement of ancient human civilization. Not quite a cup.

[rory_20_uk]

How much do you value a life?

Oh, I know how precious they are, and how of course we'd do nothing to end one...

In the UK, NICE values lives at £30,000 per year.

But funnily enough most people do close to nothing to stop deaths in the world, except say how terrible it is.

Luckily many people are prepared to cherish treasures for future generations. I'd rather private collectors had them than no one at all.