Summary Of Alexander Bauer's 'Editorial'

Society is increasingly realizing the issue concerning the destruction of archaeological remains. The growth of the self-proclaimed “Islamic State”, IS, and their direct assaults on archaeological remains in Mesopotamia, has created a distain throughout the archaeological community. The Editorial by Alexander Bauer ((()) explores the what reactions will likely develop from these assaults, exploring their significance, and their controversy. The article introduces the idea that many well-intentioned collectors and institutions find the need to buy artifacts and antiques in order to “save” them. Specifically, buying artifacts from volatile regions where they run the risk of destruction, looting, ending in the wrong hands. Theoretically, buying these heritage rich artifacts and removing them from a bleak fate is an ingenious idea, however, there are some complications. Skeptical archaeologists point out that an object taken from its context renders it affectively meaningless. Also, in many cases it is illegal to obtain these artifacts so they have to be purchased through black market

Morally speaking, it is important to act to preserve these sites, but not at the price of human lives. This is an important concept, but the article does concede that the two actions are not mutually exclusive, and the controversy comes with a theoretical universal ranking of rights. Although it is very easy to understand that lives should come before saving sites, for some people, as Sir Harold Nicolson puts it, “[are] prepared to be shot against a wall if I were certain that by such a sacrifice I could preserve Giotto frescoes.” An example of this is during the 2011 uprising in Egypt Tahirir Square younger protestors secured a perimeter around the Cairo Museum. There needs to be a balance of saving sites in a responsible and organized