When does it go from grave robbing to archaeology? When a government gets involved.

Just like with money. If I took part of your paycheck, it would be stealing. When the government does it...

Since when do governments have anything to do with archeology? And from your politics I'd imagine you're not big into the sciences anyway.

I think archeology vs grave robbing is more about time gone by, no? 27 years- yuck. 27,000- a treasure trove of science. Or something like that.

"Since when do governments have anything to do with archeology?"

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-1023746.html

"Mexico Lifts Bar Against U.S. Study; Officials to Permit Archaeological Dig

"The Mexican government said it has dropped its controversial effort to block an American-led archaeological investigation into an important set of ruins in southeastern Mexico."

http://www.indiana.edu/~arch/saa/matrix/ael/ael_mod09.htm

"All excavations of archaeological sites must be authorized by permit."

http://www.coloradohistory-oahp.org/publications/pubs/1308a.pdf

"All permit holders shall provide the state archaeologist, within one year after the start of the investigation, excavation, gathering, or removal, with a preliminary report of progress."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/26/2883080.htm?section=business

"The State Government commissioned archaeologists to examine the site after the Aboriginal community raised concerns that construction of the Brighton bypass could damage it."

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/mid...l-93883479.html

"Religious Jews and Israel's secular government have clashed over ancient burial rights."

Get it yet?

Sure, I get that they regulate it, often not enough especially if the country is poor--but how exactly is that a bad thing?

Is it better to just open up any land not privately owned to be open season for excavation and sold at will? Countless cultural artifacts have been lost over the eons to careless (or powerless) neglect.

Generally it's to provide some sort of oversight to prevent wholesale "grave robbing" and artifact exports into the black market. Or do you not get THAT?

Or do we subscribe to the wishful think concept that the world will just sort of take care of itself? Personal responsibility and all?

Why have laws at all? What's with all these rules anyway? It just cramps your "freedom." My four year old asks the same kind of questions all the time.

I believe you have either misunderstood or intentionally perverted my statement. Considering that you have ended both of your posts with an insult, I am inclined to believe the latter.

Nowhere did I state that laws against grave robbing are a bad thing. That I believe so is your fabrication. A government which enacts such laws is doing the proper, ethical thing. However, a government which then grants permits for the graves to be robbed, under the guise of "archaeology," is neither ethical nor proper. If something is wrong for an individual (or a group of archaeologists) how can it suddenly be right just because the government issues a document?

If you wish to interpret Buddha's question from a purely theoretical, scientific viewpoint, I understand. I do not, however, understand your hostility toward a different perspective.

OK- I did indeed interpret your statement as saying ANY gov. intervention was tantamount to stealing, and that they should just stay out of it altogether. My mistake and I apologize.

I really thought the whole topic was more one of a morbidly humorous rhetorical question- I could say you left a lot open to interpretation with the way you worded your post, but then again that often the problem with a short statement with no context or body language. My bad.

Carry on! Or should I say carrion?

Quote:
Carry on! Or should I say carrion?

Good one! Are you referring to the mummies, or to this thread?

Is it only a matter of time, of the years gone by? Or is it because of the elapsed time, there's no one around to object, let alone ask?

When does it go from grave robbing to archaeology?

When those in the graves have living relatives who can complain?

Trey