18 Dec 

With a strong black market demand for antiquities, an increase in a surprising kind of crime: illicit excavation of artifacts in search of ancient Pyu beads are happening mostly in central Myanmar.

A case happened in October in Minbu Township in which about 300 villagers illegally digging up an ancient burial site in Minbu Township in search of Pyu-ear beads attacked the police with catapults before managing to escape from the scene.

Since then, the illegal excavation and trafficking of ancient artifacts have been in the spotlight. It also reflects the major challenges in protecting our cultural heritage and antiquities, limited resources to protect them, black market demand for antiquities, and impacts from climate change that is threatening the livelihood of farmers in rural areas.

Due to the economic crisis, people with no prior criminal record are looting antiquities.

While some farmers found antiques during their farming work are handing over these antiques to authorities and receiving cash awards, many other artifacts are slipping beyond our country’s borders and into private collections. Selling pieces of Pyu-era beads is quick cash for them.

This situation has sounded an alarm bell that we need to enforce the rule of law and encourage the livelihood of farmers through creation of jobs.

We should accelerate our efforts to enforce and make public these laws to take potential measures to protect our historical and cultural artifacts from degradation and trafficking.

The Protection and Conservation of Antiquities Law states that anyone who attempts to bring or transport “antiquities” overseas without permission, or who destroys or collects them for business purposes, could face a five to ten years prison sentence, as well as fines.

Under current laws protecting Myanmar antiquities, artifacts more than 100 years old are protected and cannot be sold or transferred without permission from relevant governmental departments.

Under “the Protection and Preservation of Antique Objects Law” an antique object is defined as an object which has been used by human beings including fossils over one hundred years old located above or under the ground or above or under the water.

Since 1970s, our country has ratified the UNESCO’s convention against the illicit trafficking of cultural objects which encourages governments to catalogue and track antiquities and cultural artifacts.

We are confident that a carrot-and-stick approach with measures to protect our antiquities, including enforcing laws, and raising public awareness about cultural artifacts, punishment and giving awards are the best way to preserve our cultural heritage.