Why the illicit trade of ancient artifacts is destroying Jordan’s historical landscape
In short: The global demand for antiquities is fueling a crisis in Jordan, where Early Bronze Age sites are being systematically pillaged. Despite efforts by local communities and government agencies, the illicit trade continues to strip the land of its heritage, alienating local populations and erasing invaluable historical data forever.
The illicit excavation of archaeological sites in Jordan is driven by a complex network of looters, intermediaries, and collectors. These actors often prioritize the acquisition of cultural artifacts without scrutinizing their origins or the legality of their movement. This demand, whether from individual consumers or institutions, creates a pipeline that transforms protected historical sites into commodities. As these objects move from the ground to the market, the physical landscape is destroyed, and the context necessary for understanding the past is permanently lost.
To combat this, researchers like Dr. Morag M. Kersel employ an integrated methodology to assess the scale of the damage. By combining archaeological evidence, archival documents, ethnographic interviews, and aerial surveys conducted with drones, experts are mapping the destruction at Early Bronze Age sites dating from 3600 to 2000 BCE along the Dead Sea Plain. This research is critical for evaluating the efficacy of existing cultural heritage laws and policies, which often struggle to keep pace with the sophisticated pathways of the illegal antiquities trade.
The consequences of this looting extend beyond the loss of physical objects. Local communities, who are the stewards of these landscapes, find themselves disenfranchised from their own heritage as sites are pillaged and historical data is stripped away. Projects like the 'Follow the Pots' initiative aim to trace the movement of these artifacts, highlighting the disconnect between the consumption of 'Holy Land' antiquities and the reality of a looted landscape. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing better diplomatic and protective strategies to preserve what remains of these ancient sites.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Landscape, Loss, and Looting. Lessons Learned at an Early Bronze Age site, Jordan
- Also: Lunch Club Series | Lessons Learned? Looting, Loss, and Landscape at Early Bronze Age sites in Jordan | Archaeology Center
- Also: events.stanford.edu — Lunch Club Series | Lessons Learned? Looting, Loss, and Landscape at Early Bronze Age sites in Jordan
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