The Forum

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Sensible Antiquities Trading

My wife and I were shocked when we toured Turkey last year to see Hellenistic ruins often ignored and unprotected. Thousands of amphoras and other artifacts were haphazardly scattered, uncared for, around ancient sites. A noted museum was using Hellenistic Corinthian capitals as bases for tables in its snack shop.

The problem is not the lack of archaeological treasures, but rather their preservation. A properly conducted and controlled antiquities market undercuts looting by directing capital towards antiquities that can be identified as genuine and legally obtained. The AIA [Archaeological Institute of America] ivory tower policy is akin to saying that since counterfeiting exists, we should outlaw money. Let’s adopt a sensible policy on antiquities trading that will enhance conservation and encourage a responsible antiquities marketplace.

For a similar view by two economists, see Richard L. Stroup and Matthew Brown, “How to Reduce Archaeological Looting.”—Ed.

Face the Music

Your piece on ancient organs (“Water Music,” Ancient Life, AO 03:06) states that the pipe organ’s inventor, Ctesibius, perfected a “hydraulic mirror for his father’s barbershop.” Vitruvius’s account of the mirror experiment nowhere mentions a “hydraulic” operation, but it does refer to a “small piping” with a “leaden ball,” which “compressed the enclosed air.”¹ Thus the device was pneumatic, not hydraulic.

The article rightly calls these Roman organs “expensive and difficult to maintain.” This probably explains why we do not find them in large numbers. Interestingly, Greek kytharas existed in large numbers, but they were made entirely of wood and—probably for that reason—not a single one has been found in its entirety.

Your piece on the organ was well researched and well written. Unfortunately, you just happened to bump into a guy who earned his Ph.D. on this subject, for a dissertation written in Hungarian.²

Back to the Future

Truly, the prognosticative powers of the Mesopotamian seers were nothing short of miraculous (see Alexander Jones, “The Horoscope Casters,” Origins, AO 03:06). It boggles the mind that they were able, some time in B.C., to state with such certainty that the son of Tar-sa-mu-ku-us was born on 008September 1, 288 B.C. It boggles the mind that they knew Christ would show up 288 years later, and that they knew about the month of September. All this without even the guidance of a star!

Or perhaps the text gains something in translation?

Mr. Monaghan is not the only reader to point out the preposterousness of too literal a reading. Our caption stated that a cuneiform tablet read, “The son of Tar-sa-mu-ku-us, born on September 1, 288 B.C.” We simply translated the Babylonian dates into the convention used today. Of course, the original tablet did not contain the word “son” either, but rather the cuneiform symbols giving the Akkadian word for son.—Ed.

Well After the Flood

Can you tell me why the Birecik Dam (see Jessica A. Meyerson, “After the Flood!” AO 03:06) will be closed in 50 years? I imagine the electricity will still be needed a half century from now.

See Ms. Meyerson’s reply following Douglas Chinn’s letter.—Ed.

Tools of the Trade

As a woodworker and student of ancient metallurgy, I am intrigued by the mosaic shown in the article on the flooding of Zeugma. It appears that Daedalus is holding a wood saw while Icarus uses an adz. What intrigues me most is the small rectangular object between Daedalus and Icarus. It looks very much like a wood plane. If it is, it may be the earliest depiction of that particular tool. Can you verify that the object is indeed a plane?

Jessica A. Meyerson replies:

According to a recent report from the U.N. World Commission on Dams, most hydroelectric dams have a useful life span of only 30 to 40 years because of the natural silting process. Even dams built under ideal geographical conditions seldom last more than 75 years.

The silting up of the dam is not expected to damage the submerged ruins of Zeugma. The real danger to the submerged portions of the city comes from water erosion, which can be prevented by “reburying” artifacts that are left in situ. 009For a full report on the latest finds and conservation efforts at Zeugma, see the Packard Humanities Institute’s new Web site: www.Zeugma2000.com.

Mr. Chinn is probably right that the small object on the floor between Daedalus and Icarus is a wood plane. The scene probably shows the inventor and his son constructing a wooden cow costume for Queen Pasiphae of Crete, who used this disguise to seduce a great white bull and then gave birth to the Minotaur. Similar depictions of ancient wood-working tools also appear in some of the frescoes found at Pompeii.

Remember the Living

How patronizing for the West to accuse the Turks of acting recklessly, when a project of this magnitude will directly address the needs of the local—living—population. Tragic as the loss of portions of Zeugma may be, this sacrifice must be weighed against the good done for poor and hungry people.

Thanks to the Packard Institute for its generous financial help in salvage operations. Thanks to the Turkish government for working to preserve as much of this wonderful site as possible. And thanks to those people who are trying to improve the standard of living of the people who live in this region.

We have waited 2,300 years to view Zeugma’s hidden secrets, so why can’t we wait 50 more years for the next generation of archaeologists to uncover her treasures?

A Sound Investment

Your magazine continues to produce wonderful articles on the Mediterranean region that are entertaining as well as educational. It’s one of the best investments that I ever made. Keep up the good work!

009

ERRATA

The Anglo-American Project in Pompeii was listed in our January/February 2001 dig list with an incorrect entry for future goals. This season, the project will continue to excavate in Regio 6, Insula 1, including a bar and an inn. Also, the project is not excavating a temple to Isis, as stated in the write-up.

Sensible Antiquities Trading