Antiquities Amnesty: Bring Back the Bling!

Antiquities’ Amnesty: Bring Back the Bling-! Things happen in life and occasionally we need to regroup. Reassess. Reorganize. And so it was when, in summer of 2023, the Israel Antiquities Authority launched an amnesty program for looted antiquities. I like to call it: Bring Back the Bling-! It was an unprecedented opportunity to cleanse the soul… and the closet… of archaeological items that average individuals should not have in their possession, namely pieces predating 1700 and which were not legally purchased. The story goes something like this…. Let’s say that homeowners are outside digging in their garden. They come across a pillar or capital from long ago. Finders, keepers? Nope. Illegal. They must turn it over to the IAA, who in turn, may offer them a photo op and a certificate for being a good citizen. If they choose to keep it, this could mean a life of looking over one’s shoulder… and possibly a prison sentence of five years or so! Israel takes their antiquities and their history seriously. From any time period. Not just ancient Israelite. Could be Canaanite, Philistine, Roman, Ottoman. All are under protection and destined for museums, or research, or restoration, or storage. Maybe you’re on a hike in the hills of Judea, or scuba diving in the Mediterranean, or spelunking in Dead Sea caves. Bam! You encounter coins, an anchor, an ossuary (secondary burial box), pottery jars or oil lamps. Don’t touch them! Call in the experts ASAP. As soon as a piece is removed from its original setting, it becomes virtually worthless, lacking provenience or setting. Mark the location and lead the archaeological authorities to the site. Unfortunately, a number of people pocket the piece. Once upon a time, namely, prior to an antiquities law passed in 1978, this was semi-legal in Israel. But anything procured after this time, and not from a licensed shop with an authorized antiquities’ dealer certificate, is just not kosher. Famous and not-so-famous archaeologists also possessed archaeological artifacts back in the day. But now the country has grown, and developed museums and a top-of-the-line, world class governmental authority to oversee such things. So cough it up! Turn it over! Give it back! No questions asked. And they did. Thousands of pieces came flooding into the Israel Antiquities Authority facilities. Some required cranes to remove them from homes, literally weighing tons! (Which begs the question, how did they acquire these in the first place?!) Others were delicate glass or pottery pieces upon which archaeological technician wannabes did their own glue-job “restorations”-! Say it isn’t so…. But it was. People, people, people! Archaeologists go for higher-level studies and internships for a reason. Sigh. In came the ancient jewelry, stone tools, ivory pieces, stone engraved seals, and bronze arrowheads. Some had entire collections of museum-quality artifacts-! Items arrived from rented storage facilities, car trunks, back closets, outdoor courtyards, you name it. Citizens rushed at the chance to relieve their conscience. Ill-gotten gain has a way of catching up with you. You know it’s wrong, even though you convince yourself you’re not hurting anyone. How can you enjoy it? Do you dare to show it to family or friends? Once you possess it, if you have a change of perspective, how do you get rid of it? Sell it? That’s a crime. Throw it away? Maybe a greater crime. Bury it somewhere else? Thieves could find it. Turn it in and say you’re sorry? Tell that to the judge as they lead you away in handcuffs-! So the idea of a few weeks of antiquities’ amnesty really caught on, touching the hearts and minds of many who wanted to come clean. Publicity paid off as the entire country marveled over unheard-of finds being returned, which then helped to answer long-standing research questions in the disciplines of history, religion, culture and so much more. As per usual, got me thinking of the Lord. He has an amnesty program—which is not a “free pass” at all. It’s a “get straight” opportunity. Come clean. Turn your life around. Leave the past in the past. Say you’re sorry and move forward. Listen to these encouraging words from the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible), penned by King David, circa 1000 BC: “Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me” (Psalm 86:1-7, NLT). He will hear, He will answer, He will help! So ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love. Let’s pray this for ourselves, for the hostages, for those in harm’s way all around the world. It’s time for light to shine and God’s amnesty to prevail. #IsraelAntiquitiesAuthority #AntiquitiesAmnesty #BringBackTheBling #LootedArtifacts #LootedAntiquities #IsraeliArchaeology #BiblicalArchaeology #BlackMarketAntiquities #IllegalArtifacts #AntiquitiesTrade #ArchaeologicalCrimes #Bible #Forgiveness #Amnesty #MB #PostcardFromIsrael