The world has stood appalled by the destruction of Muslim extremists in ISIS of ancient Syrian architecture and Christian tombs, including continuing demolitions revealed this week with the destruction of the famed tower tombs. A construction company in Israel however shows that you do not have to be a religious fanatic to show the same ignorance and destruction. In this case it was allegedly a case of blind greed rather than blind hate. The unnamed company was told that it could build in the sensitive area of Ashkelon where antiquities are often found (like this earlier sarcophagus) so long as they proceed carefully and report any findings (and stop work when any findings are made). The company allegedly found the beautiful 1,800 year old sarcophagus but decided to hide it rather than stop work. In the process of yanking it out of the ground with a tractor and hiding it under sheet metal, the invaluable piece was irreparably damaged. (Since the photographer for the Israel Antiquities Authority has copyrighted the photos, a curious claim for a government agency, we cannot post the pictures which can be seen here It is an ironic twist, the IAA is objecting to the damage to a historic piece that belongs to all humanity but then claims copyright to the images to ostensibly require anyone who wants to use the image to get its permission)
The IAA says that it will take legal action against the company but it remains unclear whether company employees will face serious punishment for damaging and hiding the stone coffin weighing 2 tons and 8.2 feet in length. Sculpted on all sides, a life-size figure of a person is sculpted on the sarcophagus’ lid. The figure of a leaning man shows a short-sleeved shirt decorated with embroidery on the front and a tunic is wrapped around his waist. His eyes were once inlaid with precious stones and his hair is “arranged in curls, in a typical Roman hairstyle.” This is a relief of a metal amphora on the other side like the ones used to ship wine as well as wreaths and images of bulls’ heads, naked Cupids, and the head of the mythical creature Medusa.
The company came across this magnificent item and decided to pull it out of the ground with a tractor and then allegedly poured a concrete floor down to hide the site. The sarcophagus was hidden beneath a pile of sheet metal. Such an act should warrant a length prison term but I somehow doubt that such punishment will occur. We have seen in other countries how contractors destroy ancient sites with the expectation that they will never be caught or, if caught, will face fines or relatively light punishment. It then becomes a cost of doing business with history as the loser.
Amir Ganor, head of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Inspection Department, is quoted as saying “This is an extremely serious case of damage to a rare antiquity of unprecedented artistic, historical and cultural importance.” (By the way, Mr. Ganor, you might want to show that recognition of “artistic, historical, and cultural importance” of this item for humanity by not having your agency or its photographers claim copyright ownership to pictures placed on government websites.)
Israel kills the most Palestinians it has since 1967 in 2014, not mentioned here. Interesting that this place (civil liberties and all) chooses what over who regarding the protection of laws very often….. Imperial dreams.
“kill”, not “ill.”
BFM:
Modern capitalism operates under regulations, which are intended to respect individual rights.
For example, companies do not have the right to spew asbestos into the air because that would infringe on everyone’s individual rights to healthy air and a safe work environment.
And, yet, I continually hear people argue against capitalism ignoring its modern definition.
The argument against regulations typically centers around unreasonable regulations that have no purpose in improving public safety or health. For example, those absurd regulations against bread crumbs that have stymied bagel shops in NY. Or the ADA regulations on mirror height that have such a narrow range of tolerance that lawyers go from store to store, suing for mirrors hung a 1/4 inch too high.
It hurts to read about the damage or destruction of irreplaceable antiquities. This is a loss to all of us. If companies cannot be trusted to operate within the parameters of their contract, protecting the delicate antiquities they unearth, then they should not be permitted to build there.
forgotwhoiam: That’s an interesting approach to change the thinking of construction crews that unearth finds like this. Make them worth more to them to preserve than hide.
This reminds me of the stories I’ve heard about land owners and others destroying or removing endangered species when they find them, because doing so means they lose their home, business, and/or livelihood. That animal/fish/insect is worth more to them dead than alive. We’ve created a system that encourages some people to hide or ill an endangered species if they find it on their own land. One of my relatives is a well known ecologist who’s talked with me about success stories where agencies partnered with land owners, ranchers, farmers, etc in a mutually beneficial way rather than an antagonistic relationship, as is more usual.
@Karen S: “Modern capitalism operates under regulations, which are intended to respect individual rights.”
I think that is mostly right. In my opinion the serious debate relates to how much regulation is necessary to protect citizens vs where regulation begins to cut into economic efficiency.
Of course, in some situations the cost of economic inefficiency is the price we pay for better goods and services. Does any one really want to use the market to figure out which electric blanket burst into flames on your bed or which stock fund is a Ponzi scheme. There is an argument that the market drives out bad actors. But I for one don’t want to count burned bodies or ruined lives while the market sorts out which electric blankets are safe or which funds are free of fraud.
I don’t think the situation is exactly symmetrical. But there are two extremes in my opinion. On the right there are some who argue that any regulation is an infringement on essential freedom. And on the left there are some who argue that there is a problem with the nature of capitalism.
I am not too worried about those on the left. The market economy is too powerful as an economic tool with no replacement in sight. The states from the former Soviet Union and China are using (more less) variations of markets. That ought to be proof enough that markets and capitalism are here to stay.
I wonder how many Palestinians were displaced or killed before construction was started.
Israel/Zionism, the modern Nazi Germany/Third Reich.
losing, not losig.
A little bit of research on the part of JT could’ve yielded some interesting facts, which would’ve prevented drawing parallels between the organized destruction and demolition of ancient and treasured artifacts committed by ISIS with some workmen on a construction site.
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Sarcophagus: Rare 1,800-Year-Old Coffin Unearthed In Israel
Construction workers in Israel found a rare, ancient sarcophagus that scientists say is 1,800 years old. Unfortunately, the workers damaged the coffin when they extracted it on their own.
By Suzette Gutierrez | Sep 04, 2015 10:56 AM EDT
According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the construction workers discovered the ancient coffin and tried to extract it using a bulldozer but ended up damaging it on all sides, including a stone and the decorations. The IAA said that the workers attempted to hide their misdeed by pouring new concrete on the site where it was extracted. Fortunately, some people reported the incident to the authorities.
The authorities detained the construction workers responsible for damaging the sarcophagus. The IAA said it will pursue legal action against the those involved. IAA inspection department head Amir Ganor said transparency between the agency and the owners of the property is necessary.
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The Jerusalem Post
September 3, 2015
The IAA’s Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery said that information about unlawful activities at the construction site led to a nighttime search on Wednesday, where five Palestinian construction workers from Hebron were found sleeping.
All five men were subsequently detained for questioning, and a close examination of the area by inspectors revealed that the sarcophagus and its lid had been concealed by the workers.
“During the investigation of the laborers at the Ashkelon police station, it became clear that the sarcophagus was excavated last week,” the IAA said.
“When questioned, they showed the investigators photos and videos taken at the time of the sarcophagus’ discovery, and while removing it from the ground. Later that night, two building contractors were detained who are residents of the city and were responsible for the construction work on the site.”
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Softpedia
1,800-Year-Old Stone Sarcophagus Unearthed in Israel
The construction workers tried to hide the find.
When they discovered the stone coffin, the construction workers didn’t alert authorities. Rather, they tried to hide the find, fearing that researchers would chase them away from the site and they could not move forward with their project.
They used a tractor to pull the stone coffin from the ground and then they hid it under a pile of construction debris. In the process, they damages some of the engravings on its sides.
The Israel Antiquities Authorities plans to take legal action against the construction workers, who risk being sentenced to 5 years in prison for damaging the artifact and trying to hide its discovery.
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A half truth, JT, is a whole lie. The Israeli authorities will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these actions. The only parallel that you should be referencing is the fact that the Palestinian workmen, who committed this deed out of fear of delaying the project or even losig their jobs, are the Arab brethren to the monsters of ISIS.
Government should pay FULL MARKET VALUE for artifacts discovered by private parties. Fact is, these people might get 10% if they’re lucky.
Private parties should take extraordinary measures to preserve artifacts for which they will receive full market value.
Kinda like winning the lottery.
Problem is, these people know they are criminals for making historic discoveries – what’s wrong with this picture? Tyrannical and oppressive government. That’s what’s wrong.
That’s what the American Founders said: “Government, leave the people alone and get out of their way.”
The people will do stuff. Important stuff. Good stuff. Leave them alone. The people can take care of themselves. The people don’t need government. They simply need a facilitating clearinghouse, if you will. The people don’t need any entity to tell them what to do. The people will tell themselves.
Is there anything government does not control?
@bfm
There are plenty of commies in the U.S. We call them “Democrats.”
I am not just being partisan. Democrats here always admired the Commies for the way they subsumed the whole government in Russia. The Commies in Russia were a whole lot less about economics, and a whole lot more about securing their continued existence as the “Group In Power.” I submit that is why our Democrats are sooo pro-illegal aliens. They see it as a way to continue their hold on cities and why a “path to citizenship” figures so much on their push—so the illegals can eventually vote in federal elections.
Remember, the popular statewide vote is what elects Senators.
Sooo, the problem for the Dems is to do this without their core constituency ever catching on, because every illegal alien you let in, takes a black man’s job.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
“The Commies in Russia were a whole lot less about economics, and a whole lot more about securing their continued existence as the “Group In Power.””
Hmmm ….. Rove, take the presidency, the senate, the house, hold up court appointments till you control the nominating committees – now I get it – absolute control all three branches.
“They see it as a way to continue their hold on cities ”
Hmmm… state legislatures, gerrymandering, photo IDs to register to vote … its all coming together, now.
” every illegal alien you let in, takes a black man’s job”
Which increases the labor pool driving down wages and offers opportunities to pay off the books at below minimum wage with no benefits …. so that’s why big business and corporations and “inside the belt way republicans” are so pro immigration.
Wow, blow my mind, I never though of it that way before …. those commies.
There are “commies” in Red China. The Koch Brothers love dealing with them for all the tea in China. There are few commies left in the United States. Joe McCarthy scared them all away. Then we fought the Nam War to prove that we were not “soft” on communism. My half blind guy for whom BarkinDog is guide dog has Hanes underwear which are made in Vietnam. So I would say that Hanes is Commie. Look in your own underwear. Maybe you wear Commie underwear.
” There are few commies left in the United States. Joe McCarthy scared them all away.”
All the rest were FBI weren’t they?
We many not have the security clearance to know who you are or what you did but lets give a big shout out to all the commies who will soon be retiring from the FBI after a job well done living ‘three lives’ for the good of our country.
OMG, one time the Israelis accidentally damage an old casket. But ISIS intentionally destroys all of Middle East history they come across and you complain about one done by accident. Oh please stop.
Or does this have to do with their ethnicity? Leave the Jewish people alone already, their dealing with a new nuclear Iran, whose going to destroy that nation as soon as they can, with the help of Obama and Kerry. smh
@Nick: ” However, the US has evolved into an oligarchy, w/ both the govt. and big business tag teaming to stomp out small businesses. ”
Well said, Nick. It seems to me that at every level government is under the sway of big money, usually from corporations. As a result, ordinary citizens and and small businesses have little power to influence the decisions that so often control their lives.
Yet, I can’t agree that regulation, in and of itself, is bad. The poison is in the dose. A little may have little effect for good or bad. The right amount may have important beneficial effects. But, we agree, too much can create serious problems or destroy that which we wish to maintain.
The challenge lies in finding the right application.
We note: “09/04/2015 Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 173,000 in August, and the unemployment rate edged down to 5.1 percent. Job gains occurred in health care and social assistance and in financial activities. Manufacturing and mining lost jobs. ”
While some naive commies might think this is good news, capitalist can only read that passage with concern and deep misgivings.
The increase in health care must be due to the evil of Obamacare while declines in manufacturing and mining must be due to unholy regulation by big government democrats. Increases in employment in social assistance can only be compounding the problems of those in need leading them further into a life of dependency.
Remember, while a dem is in the White House they ain’t no good news except with a bad interpretation.
Grave desecration is a common thing in the Muddle East.
JT fails to include in the article that there was a dead body under that stone– that this was a grave site. The stone, being revealed now, is a craven image. Had the Israeli contractor asked his dog what to do this would not be news.
BFM, I am not a radical libertarian. I acknowledge the govt. needs to intervene in some areas of commerce. However, the US has evolved into an oligarchy, w/ both the govt. and big business tag teaming to stomp out small businesses. I taught my children when you hear a politician say, “I’m for the small business person,” he or she is lying. And it doesn’t matter w/ what party they’re affiliated.
EVERYTHING is for sale. It simply depends upon the price.
“The destruction of antiquities, no matter the motivation, drives up the price for other antiquities. This is basic economics, but I thought it should be noted for the socialists and communists here.”
Presumably the capitalists understand this is just the natural operation of the free market which gives us results so much better than the government can achieve.
We know the results of a free market are naturally and always good. But intervention by the government is always bad because it reduces efficiency, increases costs, and restrictions the actions of free men and women.
I think I got that right. But I am sure there are some capitalists and libertarians reading this who can make the argument much better than I can.
bs .most of those so called things prices arn’nt even or ever were up for sale
The destruction of antiquities, no matter the motivation, drives up the price for other antiquities. This is basic economics, but I thought it should be noted for the socialists and communists here.