Essential Dilemma in the Liberal Understanding of Heritage: On recent looting and destruction of Museums in Iraq and its reactions
Creators: name: Sen, Swadhin
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2006
Subjects: Archaeological Heritage
Heritage
Critical Studies of Heritage
Debates on Cultural Heritage
Cultural Resource Management
Cultural Anthropology
Heritage in Conflict
Critical Theory
Politics of Archaeology
Identity and Archaeology
Politics of the Pasts

description: This paper which was initially written and sent to Martin Hall, the President of World Archaeological Congress (WAC) and other members of the executive committee of WAC on 18 June 2003 on the eve of its 5th congress at Washington DC with a forwarding letter by electronic mail. The letter was – "Respected WAC Members and colleagues, On the eve of 5th Congress, I am very much disappointed, frustrated and outraged for the role and reaction of WAC on the US-British aggression in Iraq and the consequent damage and looting of archaeological materials. As I have come to know from the past activities of WAC, this oganization has been making contribution to the polemics on 'political and controversial issues' by promoting debates among the archaeologists from different political, cultural and religious traditions. As an archaeologist from a virtually peripheral country of 'third world' I disagree with the statement of Prof. Martin Hall after the destruction. The uncertainty and depression that engulfed us due to the role of western countries, US in particular, over the past years will be, I think,deepened by this statement. Moreover, in my opinion, this statement is an act of insult to the millions of people protesting against the attack in Iraq. As an expression of solidarity with the people who are fighting against the oppression in the world, especially in Iraq and Palestine, and as a gesture of protest against the role of intellectuals and academics, archaeologists in particular, I have written the paper attached herewith. Though I am not a member of WAC, I hope that this paper would be read and understood by my colleagues of the '(first) world'. They would not subvert and marginalize it as their statesmen usually prefer to do. Please, note that, this paper could be used and dispersed for any type of activism that tries to throw the brutal US regime out. Comments on my paper are very much expected. With regards to all, Swadhin Sen." Prof. Hall replied with the usual manner on 20 June 2003 : "Dear Professor Sen, Thank you for your message, and for the copy of your paper, which is an important contribution to an important debate in these very difficult times in which we live. You can be assured that your views are taken seriously, and will be treated with the respect that they deserve. Sincerely, Martin Hall." It is noteworthy that no other member has made any reply or comments till now and no changes have been noticed in the statement of Prof. Hall. The initial paper was then modified and extended and was published in an online webzine entitled (Meghbarta, now not available) in Bangladesh. I contend that the arguments in this paper became more relevant during the later period, when destruction and looting of archaeological materials became rampant in various parts of the world and limits of the liberal understanding of heritage (or cultural resource) became evident. The arguments, I suppose, is also relevant for the increasing concerns and narratives on protecting the cultural heritage in the face of climate change.