A Lawyer Looks at U.S. Antiquities Laws

Journal of Field Archaeology, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 385-387, Autumn, 1982

3 Pages Posted: 29 Sep 2011

See all articles by Eric C. Schneider

Eric C. Schneider

University of Baltimore - School of Law

Date Written: Autumn 1982

Abstract

The legal issues involved in trading antiquities across international borders are very complex; cases hinge on points that, to archaeologists, often seem to have little relevance to archaeological issues, or even to our sense of what the law "ought to be". A New York City art dealer was caught red-handed bringing into the U.S. Peruvian antiquities worth, reputedly, about a million dollars (see below). He had no export permit from Peru. Peru's antiquities laws require a permit for the export of all antiquities. It would seem very clear, then, that this dealer was engaged in an illegal activity. Unfortunately, perhaps, it is not that simple.

Keywords: antiquities trade, international borders, United States, Peru, export permits, David Bernstein, U.S. Customs, looting, National Stolen Property Act, NSPA

JEL Classification: F19, K19, K29, K33, K42

Suggested Citation

Schneider, Eric C., A Lawyer Looks at U.S. Antiquities Laws (Autumn 1982). Journal of Field Archaeology, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 385-387, Autumn, 1982, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1934233 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1934233

Eric C. Schneider (Contact Author)

University of Baltimore - School of Law ( email )

1420 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
United States

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