Even after more than 50 years of communism, China remains a religious country. Nevertheless, the officially atheist PRC not only harasses religious Chinese, but callously destroys China's religious heritage in the name of progress.
CPO has reported on China's part in the planned demolition of an important Buddhist site in Afghanistan for profit, but religious sites at home fair no better. For example, AFP is reporting on plans to bulldoze many of the buildings associated with a 1,300 year old Buddhist temple erected near where China's famous terracotta warriors were found. Ironically, the supposed reason for the destruction is to assist with an application to make the area a "World Heritage Site."
Should the US State Department authorize repatriation of every last unprovenanced Chinese coin when China cares so little for major religious sites?
Update: While archaeo-blogger Paul Barford contorts logic to justify the demolition of this important Buddhist site within China proper, far more troubling news has emerged that Chinese authorities have begun to demolish wide swaths of Tibet's capital, including another important temple, again in the name of progress.
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
What's Wrong With This Picture?
CPO has reported on this story before, but it should be mentioned again given the fact that yesterday was the deadline for comments on the renewal of the China MOU. One wonders why the the same archaeological interests that scream about looting in places like China and Afghanistan remain so silent when a major Afghan Buddhist site is being destroyed by a Chinese mining company. Remember when the the world was incensed when the Taliban dynamited the Bamiyan Buddhas in the name of religion? So, why the silence when another major Buddhist site, Mes Aynak, is to be dynamited in the name of profit?
Petition to Save Significant Buddhist Archaeological Site from Destruction
CPO has been following this story for some time. When the Taliban dynamited ancient Buddhas in Afghanistan, the world was aghast. Now, the current Afghan Government has authorized the destruction of another important Buddhist site by a Chinese Mining Company, but the outrage has been minimal.
Why has the archaeological establishment been silent? Good question.
In any event, you can make your concerns known through this petition on change.org, though I question whether it really will matter as it seems that the Chinese will start mining operations shortly.
Why has the archaeological establishment been silent? Good question.
In any event, you can make your concerns known through this petition on change.org, though I question whether it really will matter as it seems that the Chinese will start mining operations shortly.
Afghan Neglect
For more evidence that the national governments and archaeological groups like the AIA should refocus their priorities away from harassing collectors and museums and get back to the basics. See
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/opinion/03Marlowe.html?_r=2&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Afghanistan is a poor country, but there is no lack of money going to the national and regional governments. And rather than spending all that money and effort on tracking down every last minor artifact that may have left the country in the last twenty years, why not instead direct that energy and money towards USAID to help the Afghans to shore up what remains of major archaeological sites in that country?
It makes little sense to repatriate minor artifacts to a country when so little has been done to preserve the major sites that should really matter to the culture.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/opinion/03Marlowe.html?_r=2&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Afghanistan is a poor country, but there is no lack of money going to the national and regional governments. And rather than spending all that money and effort on tracking down every last minor artifact that may have left the country in the last twenty years, why not instead direct that energy and money towards USAID to help the Afghans to shore up what remains of major archaeological sites in that country?
It makes little sense to repatriate minor artifacts to a country when so little has been done to preserve the major sites that should really matter to the culture.
US Military Spends a Million Dollars to Save Buddhist Artifacts from Chinese Miners
Does anyone else think something is wrong with this picture?
See
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13717471
If ancient culture is so important to Afghanistan, why are the Afghans allowing a Chinese Mining Company to dynamite an important Buddhist archaeological site? And why is the US Military rather than the Chinese spending $ 1 million on rescue archaeology?
See
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13717471
If ancient culture is so important to Afghanistan, why are the Afghans allowing a Chinese Mining Company to dynamite an important Buddhist archaeological site? And why is the US Military rather than the Chinese spending $ 1 million on rescue archaeology?
Poor Stewardship in Egypt and Afghanistan
As self-righteous archaeologists demand ever more extensive restrictions on collectors, in countries like Egypt and Afghanistan major cultural heritage sites and artifacts are crumbling due to gross negligence, misallocation of resources and general neglect.
For the latest from Afghanistan, see http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/opinion/03Marlowe.html?_r=1
For the latest in Egypt, see http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=18435&title=Insecurity%20adds%20to%20Egypt%20antiquities�%20vulnerability
One really wonders if all the emphasis on import restrictions is just a useful diversion from what really ails cultural heritage preservation in such countries.
For the latest from Afghanistan, see http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/opinion/03Marlowe.html?_r=1
For the latest in Egypt, see http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=18435&title=Insecurity%20adds%20to%20Egypt%20antiquities�%20vulnerability
One really wonders if all the emphasis on import restrictions is just a useful diversion from what really ails cultural heritage preservation in such countries.
Archaeological World Silent as World Class Afghan Buddhist Site to be Bulldozed
The Art Newspaper is reporting about limited salvage efforts going on at an important Buddhist site in Afghanistan. See http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Race-to-save-Buddhist-relics-in-former-Bin-Laden-camp/23443 Ths site is scheduled to be destroyed shortly for a Chinese owned copper mine.
Groups like the AIA and SAFE and archaeo-bloggers like Gill and Barford are constantly viligent when it comes to "looting." Yet, they remain strangely silent about the state sanctioned destruction of world class archaeological sites. Are there double standards at work?
Groups like the AIA and SAFE and archaeo-bloggers like Gill and Barford are constantly viligent when it comes to "looting." Yet, they remain strangely silent about the state sanctioned destruction of world class archaeological sites. Are there double standards at work?
Labels:
Afghanistan,
AIA,
David Gill,
dobule standards,
poor stewardship,
SAFE
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