CMVAS features Louis Intres on 'The Looting of Baghdad: Implications for Heritage Conservation'

Feb. 16, 2009 -- The Central Mississippi Valley Archeological Society will host a special lecture Thursday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m., in the ASU Museum, Room 102. Louis Intres, PhD student in Heritage Studies, will offer "The Looting of Baghdad: Implications for Heritage Conservation." This lecture is free and open to the public.

Conquering nations have looted the vanquished throughout history. Historically, the bounty was displayed as a sign of strength and power. Sometimes heritage items are even destroyed to eliminate signs of an "inferior" culture. More often, looted items find their way to the black market for sale and personal gain, or as funding for terrorist or other criminal activities.

Today, a limited number of law enforcement officials are waging the war against looting which is a global problem. But this is only one of many roadblocks preventing the tremendous loss of the cultural heritage of humankind. Join us for this eye-opening lecture about the theft and black marketing of treasures from the cradle of Western civilization.

For more information contact Dr. Julie Morrow at (870) 972-2071, or e-mail her at jmwaas@gmail.com.

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