Most of them have not been inventoried. A Chinese expert gave a talk that got the undivided attention of listeners. Viet Nam is opening up to tourism, he explained. You should adopt methods of control before it s too late. China went through the same experience and, in a few years, looting reached a scale that nobody could have foretold.
People living in impoverished rural areas have an immediate economic interest in excavating.
Yes, they do. But once again, the trend can be reversed. He sat down with the Indians and explained, These are your ancestors. We re doing all we can to help raise awareness. As soon as the local population is convinced of the importance of cultural heritage, they become a site s best curators.