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The Pillage of Prehistory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Payson D. Sheets
Payson D. Sheets*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, California State University, Fresno
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Abstract

The pillaging of archaeological sites throughout the world for salable items is increasing at an alarming rate. Recent information on looting in Mesoamerica, North America, and the Mediterranean area is summarized, and the weaknesses of the UNESCO and U.S.-Mexico treaties are outlined. Also described is a new and extremely destructive form of looting in Mesoamerica. It involves amassing many thousands of dollars from private investors for a project to decimate a chosen site, using explosives and power equipment, and then subdividing the loot among the sponsors. It is time for the SAA to act to stop the wanton destruction of the prehistoric record.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 38 , Issue 3 , July 1973 , pp. 317 - 320
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1973

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