China's tomb raiders laying waste to thousands of years of history
China's extraordinary historical treasures are under threat from increasingly aggressive and sophisticated tomb raiders, who destroy precious archaeological evidence as they swipe irreplaceable relics.
The thieves use dynamite and even bulldozers to break into the deepest chambers and night vision goggles and oxygen canisters to search them. The artefacts they take are often sold on within days to international dealers.
Police have already stepped up their campaign against the criminals and the government is devoting extra resources to protecting sites and tracing offenders. This year it set up a national information centre to tackle such crimes.
Tomb theft is a global problem that has gone on for centuries. But the sheer scope of China's heritage with thousands of sites, many of them in remote locations poses a particular challenge.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/01/china-tomb-raiders-destroy-relics
Confusious
(8,317 posts)They wouldn't be stolen.
Chalk another one up against the rich, the theft of our MUTUAL history.
TheMadMonk
(6,187 posts)The puts them well within reach of ordinary people.
Confusious
(8,317 posts)For sub $1000, but no one ever said criminals were smart.
especially in China. I'd bet the penalty isn't light.
TheMadMonk
(6,187 posts)...and then selling according to market.
They'll destroy anything to GET TO the good stuff, but that doesn't mean they'll leave everything but that good stuff behind.
Confusious
(8,317 posts)ellisonz
(27,711 posts)CTyankee
(63,912 posts)Sounds like the artifacts are easily monetized, unlike famous paintings. And it seems there is a market for the items. It bodes ill for these treasures...