The Institute of Archaeology
launched its Anti-looting Campaign this year. It is an education initiative
that needs to spread country wide and possibly global as well, with lectures
and posters done to get the message across. Yet the question may arise, what is
looting, what can be done, and what is the law behind it?
Looting is the removal of
cultural material or antiquities outside of the country of origin. In most cases
the pieces removed end up for sale on the black market. What constitutes an
antiquity? An antiquity is any artifact or portable cultural material left
behind from ancient civilizations such as the Maya, and other early historic
people, that are over one hundred years old.
Along with looting comes the
destruction of ancient monuments. A monument is any old building, erections or
other non-portable objects left behind by ancient civilizations such as the Maya
or other historic people such as the colonizers of Belize. Legally, any
building over one hundred years is considered a monument. Both monuments and
antiquities are legally protected by law under the National Institute of
Culture and History Act, Chapter 331 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition
2000.
What does this mean to the
people of Belize? The Government of Belize, through the Institute of
Archaeology, holds all ancient monuments and antiquities in trust for the
people of Belize. Our monuments and antiquities cannot be owned, possessed or
tampered with by any individual, entity or organization, without prior license to
do so, from the Institute of Archaeology.
This refers to all antiquities or monuments, regardless of whether they
are situated on land, in water or even under the sea floor.
While no one can own
antiquities, you can legally keep antiquities in your possession. Many people
come across antiquities while clearing land for farming, even inheriting pieces
from family, and would love to display these in their houses or businesses.
This can be done legally by applying for a license to have a private collection.
Of course this is not a license for any individual to actively go out and seek
more antiquities, whether from other people, from surfaces or illegally
excavating ancient Maya mounds or from historic sites.
The message of anti-looting is
one that is of concern to all of us as Belizeans. Every monument, every
antiquity tells its own story. Every piece can add to the story of the history
of Belize. Every piece we lose is one story we may never get back. While we
have international support, such as the Memorandum of Understanding signed
between Belize and the US State Department, we have to do our part here.
So what is to be done if you
see someone buying or selling antiquities or destroying a monument? If the
police are nearest give them a call then also report it to us at the Institute
of Archaeology by calling 822-2106/2227, because once antiquities and monuments are damaged, sold or
destroyed, they can never be replaced.
