Engaging with demand and destruction

“Responsible Stewards” of Classical Antiquities?

“…The legality of this portrait head's importation into the United States—like the great majority of all classical antiquities that have been sold in the United States in recent decades—is therefore unknowable (although one can be certain that if Hixenbaugh were in possession of clear proof that his portrait head was legally exported, he would have mentioned it on the web page, given that such documentation would add greatly to the piece's value). For that reason, if it is a requirement that “responsible and responsive stewards” of classical antiquities limit themselves to demonstrably “legal” acquisitions, we will almost certainly end up with an n of 0 (Kersel 2020). As with the stipulation that American archaeologists collaborate only with collectors of legally obtained American artifacts, this guideline is better understood as an aspirational, ethical principle rather than as an enforceable rule.…”

Unravelling the spectra of stewards and collectors

“…Kersel closes her response with the suggestion that "engagement must be one that highlights the clear connection between demand for artefacts and the destruction of archaeological sites and objects" (Kersel 2020(Kersel : 1074. This is certainly true, and it is a core premise around which the SAA's position statement was crafted.…”

“…These are the people that the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) and we refer to as 'responsible and responsive stewards'. Kersel describes her pilgrims to the Holy Land in search of certificates of authenticity as being "like stewards" (Kersel 2020(Kersel : 1074; and despite her concerns, she recognises the value of engaging with them. By our definition, these pilgrims are 'responsible or responsive stewards'.…”

“…Both Kersel and Watkins also seem generally to agree with our perspective, although they raise several points with which we wish to engage. Kersel, for example, responds to our plea that archaeologists adopt a nuanced perspective towards collector engagement with the suggestion that we “also ask whether the responsible and responsive acquisition of artefacts—by stewards or collectors—causes harm” (2020: 1060). For us, that question has been asked and answered.…”

“…We (and the SAA) advocate engaging responsible local collectors because doing so makes that heritage more accessible to them. Kersel understands this through her own experience, pointing out that collectors of legally acquired objects from the Holy Land “love to speak with archaeologists about the artefacts in their possession” (Kersel 2020: 1074).…”