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New exhibition highlights smuggling
The Amsterdam Museum of Civilization and Culture is to hold an exhibition of ancient Persian relics but the exhibition is not just to show the ancient relics found at the Persian city of Jiroft but to highlight the smuggling of antique Persian ceramics into the Netherlands. Amsterdam Museum is to display items selected from Iran's National Museum, Kerman's Cultural Reserve, and the Jiroft Museum. The exhibition which will last for four months in 2008 is expected to raise awareness about the illegal sale of Iranian relics in Europe and elsewhere.
The Netherlands is not the only European country accused of smuggling Middle eastern artifacts. Switzerland hads been named as one of the main transit countries for stolen treasures from Iraq, where archaeological sites held some of the most important treasures of antiquity. Experts say the trade in Iraqi treasures took off during the Gulf War, when ancient sites were plundered and items sold illegally in international markets.
Switzerland’s location and important antiquities market means made it a natural centre for looted art, with a significant proportion ending up in Amsterdam. the illicit nature of the trade makes it impossible to put a figure on its value. There are around 10,000 archaeological sites in Iraq, where some of the earliest cities in Mesopotamia were located.
This article was written for TravelSavvy Europe by Amy Armitage. If you know of an interesting European travel related news story, please get in contact.
