LOOTERS STRIP BULGARIA OF ANCIENT TREASURES

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_BULGARIA_LOOTED_TREASURE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-10-26-03-33-58


This Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 photo shows ancient Roman sculpture, found on the site of Ratiaria, an ancient Roman settlement located on the banks of the Danube, in the northwest corner of Bulgaria. Located on the crossroads of many ancient civilizations, Bulgarian scholars rank their country behind only Italy and Greece in Europe for the numbers of antiquities lying in its soil. But Bulgaria has been powerless to prevent the rape of its ancient sites, depriving the world of part of its cultural legacy and also costing this impoverished Balkan nation much-needed tourism revenue. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

ARCHAR, Bulgaria (AP) -- On the banks of the Danube, in the northwest corner of Bulgaria, lie the remnants of an ancient Roman settlement called Ratiaria, host to a priceless cultural heritage. Craters pockmark the huge site, evidence of a scourge threatening one of the world's great troves of antiquities: looters digging for ancient treasure to sell on the black market.

Archaeologist Krasmira Luka, who heads a team excavating part of the 80 hectare (200 acre) site, says the area has been repeatedly raided by thieves who dig pits looking for ancient coins and jewelry. Everything else, including precious ceramic vessels and other historically significant artifacts, is smashed to pieces.

"Destroying the items is not just a crime, it's an irreparable tragedy," Luka said, looking out at a moonscape littered with shards of ceramics or glassware destroyed by the diggers. "The day after our team leaves the site, the diggers are in place. It's an uneven battle."

Located on the crossroads of many ancient civilizations, Bulgaria is ranked by its scholars as behind only Italy and Greece in Europe for the numbers of antiquities lying in its soil. But Bulgaria has been powerless to prevent the rape of its ancient sites, depriving the world of part of its cultural legacy and also costing this impoverished Balkan nation much-needed tourism revenue.

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1. That's a shame.

[Judi Lynn]

2. The link has gone A.W.O.L., found a replacement link to the same article:

http://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.sk/2012/10/looters-strip-bulgaria-of-ancient.html#.UJEEbMVmJm1

It's a filthy shame when any criminal, either small-time louts like scavengers, or big time monsters, like political, government, or religious maniacs destroy evidence of human life. That information should be passed on to the human beings living now. It should be considered sacred, as it ain't coming back, and it's important.

So much has been lost by latter day buttinskis, trying to erase the value of people who have come before us. May they rot in their own self-importance.