Anyone who has read my posts (I do have a few readers out there, right?) knows that I have a big problem with people looting or destroying archaeological sites. It must be my anthropology education, but the idea of history being treated like a commodity brings out the anger in me. Now, some like-minded individuals are putting together a means of combating at least half of the problem, that of looting.
Looting artifacts from sites or stealing them is an underground industry that brings in literally billions of dollars every year. The sheer numbers of missing artifacts make it very apparent how lucrative this business is. In Italy alone there are more than 500,000 artifacts known to have been stolen. One can only guess at how many have been taken from places like the highly unregulated and site-rich Middle East. But these thefts are difficult things to stop and it’s hard to track down those who are buying the items to recover them. Often, only after a museum has spent tons of money to acquire an artifact is it discovered to have been stolen, leaving them to return the piece and out the precious cash that they use to purchase the treasures they display.
WikiLoot is a new system being developed by Jason Felch, the author of a book that deals with the problem of artifact smuggling. It would involve using a database filled with photos and documents that detail stolen artifacts. The source materials used are the files taken directly from dealers of illegal artifacts who have been caught. Anyone would be able to get online and peruse these files and, if conscious about the contents of their local museums, may be able to spot a few stolen items.
To me, this is a revolutionary idea. It allows enthusiasts to help in the complicated and expensive process of finding stolen items and helps to get them back to the countries where they’re supposed to be. Hunting down artifacts is time-consuming and many countries simply don’t have the resources to do it effectively. By allowing people to have access to the files, a small army of historians and archaeology buffs is there to assist in stopping this history-destroying underground trade.
Currently, Felch is working on acquiring funding to set the project up. With the devotion that anthro-heavy universities show toward their career, I doubt he will have much of a problem getting together the needed cash.