Archaeology is being undermined by clandestine and unpublished digging of archaeological sites for gain. Unless a solution is found to this ethical crisis, our record of the past will be vastly diminished. This book attempts to lay bare the misunderstanding and hypocrisy that underlies that crisis.

List of illustrations Introduction 1. The destruction of the past 2. Unprovenanced antiquities: the role of the private collector and dealer 3. Causes for concern: illegitimate acquisition and reluctant restitution 4. A universal problem: Asia, Africa, America 5. Ineffective safeguards and evolving moralities 6. Antiquities in England: the local view 7. Envoi: the past has an uncertain future Appendices: Conventions, Resolutions, Documents i. The UNESCO Convention (1970) ii. The Unidroit Convention (1995) iii. The Philadelphia Declaration (1970) iv. International Council of Museums, Code of Professional Ethics v. Policy Statement by the Trustees of the British Museum (1998) vi. Resolution of the Council of the British Academy (1998) vii. Writ of Summons in the Sevso Case, London (1991) viii. The Treasure Act for England and Wales (1996) ix. The European Council on the export of cultural goods (1992) x. The Cambridge Resolution (1999) Bibliography Index