Looting Forum

The following letter by the distinguished British archaeologist Lord Colin Renfrew of Cambridge University is part of a continuing dialogue with Archaeology Odyssey editor Hershel Shanks that began in our July/August 2002 issue and has alternated in issues thereafter. Shanks will respond to Lord Renfrew in the May/June 2003 issue.

Dear Mr. Shanks,

When you published your open letter (see Editors’ Page, AO 05:04) and my reply (see Looting Forum, sidebar to The Forum, AO 05:06), I did not realize that I was to be in receipt of a further open letter from you (see Looting Forum, sidebar to The Forum, AO 06:01). However, since in many ways I admire Archaeology Odyssey and its informative range of articles, and since I feel that your position on the illicit traffic in antiquities is a dangerous and misguided one, which can only serve to promote the looting of archaeological sites, I think I must give you a direct response. I shall try to follow your very appropriate approach of speaking plainly and, I hope, of avoiding discourtesy.