15th November 2005, 01:42 PM
Well, it has been done in the UK. I know of at least one case where a peer of the realm was prosecuted and subjected to a 5-figure fine for ploughing a SAM. Some years ago, though...
On the case in Iran, it is one thing if some farmers are plundering the site - I'd want to see the guilty individuals prosecuted hard. However, if this is used as the basis to deprive a whole community of peasant farmers of their land (guilty and innocent alike), making their families destitute, that is another matter. The land has already been cultivated, so continued farming at the same level of intensity presumably won't cause more damage.
I would rather see a more imaginative management approach, that creates the potential for the local community to benefit from the presence of the archaeological site without plundering it.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
On the case in Iran, it is one thing if some farmers are plundering the site - I'd want to see the guilty individuals prosecuted hard. However, if this is used as the basis to deprive a whole community of peasant farmers of their land (guilty and innocent alike), making their families destitute, that is another matter. The land has already been cultivated, so continued farming at the same level of intensity presumably won't cause more damage.
I would rather see a more imaginative management approach, that creates the potential for the local community to benefit from the presence of the archaeological site without plundering it.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished