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> debating the ethical cost of studying antiquities that were almost certainly stolen

what we do here is whatever we can find illegally traded gets expropriated, verified and if it turns out it's real documented and returned where it belonged.

not really an ethical conundrum doing so because there's no incentive for looters, as the artifacts are not bought.

i.e. http://bari.repubblica.it/cronaca/2017/10/06/news/foggia_rec...

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> not really an ethical conundrum doing so because there's no incentive for looters, as the artifacts are not bought.

''A cultural property expert warned Hobby Lobby’s in-house counsel about the artifacts, saying they may have been looted from archaeological sites in Iraq. Still, Hobby Lobby signed a purchase agreement for $1.6 million in December 2010, wiring the money to seven different bank accounts. ''

I think LoSboccacc is saying is that the way they (by which I assume is meant Italians, as per the link) deal with it doesn't have ethical problems.

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