Rescuing the Past: The Cultural Heritage Crusade [Hardcover]

The conclusions Tokeley draws will challenge all those who believe that the treasures of Egypt are safe.

I doubt that anyone reading this book would not have their minds changed.

His argument should be treated with the utmost seriousness by anyone truly concerned with rescuing and protecting our past.

"In addition to fascinating details about the trade in antiquties,
Tokeley's book is certainly worthy of philosophical attention."

"A thought-provoking and riveting read."

Jonathan Tokeley, contentiously convicted in 1997 after a landmark trial for smuggling Egyptian antiquities, examines current practice with regard to the conservation of antiquities and archaeological remains, and argues passionately for change. According to the cultural heritage crusade, the so-called 'Source Countries' have an indefeasible right to the ancient artefacts that are found in their soil. Also, as far as possible, what's been removed in the past (such as the Elgin Marbles) should now be returned. This argument - widely accepted amongst archaeologists - has at it's heart the academic's traditional disdain for the very idea of selling art for profit (and archaeologists' fear that they will have their licences revoked). Such an argument should not pass unexamined. The author's rejoinder is that the cultural heritage crusade is only liable to cause more damage to the antiquities themselves. This book is both a philosophical analysis of the argument, and a demonstration - in one country, Egypt - of its horrific consequences.

Jonathan Tokeley was contentiously convicted of 'smuggling' Egyptian antiquities in a landmark trial - one of a series which had devastating consequences for the antiquities market. The Cultural Heritage Crusade claims that 'Source Countries' have an indefeasible right to ancient artefacts found in their soil. And past acquisitions, like the Elgin Marbles, should be returned. Archaeologists widely accept this, and also the need for government 'prohibitions' to prevent the looting of the sites.

But this makes Antiquity a plaything of the modern humbug - of national vanity, of antiwestern dogma, of political correctness, and the academic's disdain for the very idea of profit. None of which will prevent the looting. The Cultural Heritage Crusade, in short, is not an answer to the problem. It may actually be the problem. This book is both a philosophical analysis and a demonstration - in one country, Egypt - of its horrific consequences.

"Who owns the world's archaeological treasures? Those who live on top of them, those who dig them up, those who look after them, those who buy them from whoever claims a right to sell? The questions are even more urgent as cultural change and political corruption corrode the old discipline of archaeology. Jonathan Tokeley's book tells the story of the vicissitudes to which the world's archaeological heritage is now subject, and the conclusions he draws will challenge all those who believe that the treasures of Egypt are safe in the hands of the officials who take charge of them."
Professor Roger Scruton, University of Buckingham

"Jonathan Tokeley writes with verve and conviction, deploying philosophical analysis, historical knowledge, and personal experience to develop a case against new orthodoxies and pieties concerning the acquisition, sale, and private ownership of antiquities. Whatever their starting point, I doubt that anyone reading this book would not have their minds changed on at least some aspects of these matters. Curators, collectors, dealers, legislators and others interested in the protection of cultural artifacts should certainly read Tokeley's passionate narrative."
Professor John Haldane FRSE, Director, Centre for Ethics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, University of St Andrews

"It is hard to get any view that conflicts with a liberal consensus taken seriously. This book attacks the liberal consensus on protecting archaeological heritage which favours public ownership by countries of origin. Tokeley writes with the sort of personal passion that makes for entertaining reading, while easily inviting dismissal. In fact his argument is one that should be treated with the utmost seriousness by anyone truly concerned with rescuing and protecting important residues of our past."
Professor Gordon Graham FRSE, Princeton Theological Seminary, author, Philosophy of the Arts (Routledge)

Jonathan Tokeley read biology and then philosophy at Sidney Sussex, Cambridge. He worked on his PhD (in philosophical ethics) at University College, London, and then trained himself as a restorer of antiquities. But eventually he found himself in the eye of a storm.