Advocacy - Archaeological Institute of America

Advocacy

Founded in 1879, the AIA was chartered by the United States Congress in 1906, in recognition of its role in the development and passage of the Antiquities Act, which Theodore Roosevelt signed into law that year. Today, the AIA remains committed to preserving the world's archaeological resources and cultural heritage for the benefit of people in the present and in the future.

See also, AIA Policies and Statements
AIA coverage of the activity of the U.S. State Department's Cultural Property Advisory Committee

News, Issues, and Initiatives

Support for U.S.-China Agreement

February 3, 2005

In response to ongoing looting of their archaeological and cultural heritage, the People's Republic of China has requested a bi-lateral agreement with the United States under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention and implemented by the U.S. Cultural Property Implementation Act. The agreement was supported by the AIA and SAFE.

AIA Supports the US Funding Proposal for Archaeological Site Protection in Iraq

January 6, 2005

The unprecedented magnitude of the current plague of archaeological site destruction by looters in Iraq is documented in satellite images, aerial photographs taken by Coalition personnel, and in accounts by journalists and antiquities officials working in Iraq.

AIA Endorses Move to Protect Petroglyph National Monument. Extension of Freeway through Monument Opposed

November 17, 2004

Despite the efforts of archaeologists and archaeological organizations, the street bond issue passed on November 2. Unless there is further action, the road through Petroglyph National Monument will go ahead. Further information will be posted as it becomes available.

Hatra Threatened by Military Activity in Iraq

September 1, 2004

On September 9, 2004, as a response to recent information that controlled detonation of military ordnance near the important ancient and Early Islamic site of Hatra in Iraq will likely result in permanent damage to the site, AIA President Jane C. Waldbaum sent a message to Dr. Joseph Collins, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Col. Frank Romano, Department of Defense, and Mr. William Jeffrey, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy requesting that they take steps to ensure the protection of the site.

Update on Pending Legislation Regarding Iraq and Afghanistan, March 8, 2004

March 1, 2004

On March 4, the Senate passed legislation (S. 671) that gives the President the authority to impose restrictions to prevent the import into the United States of cultural materials that have been illegally removed from Iraq since August 1990. Enactment of this legislation is crucial to prevent cultural materials looted from Iraq’s cultural institutions from entering the United States and to help combat the looting of archaeological sites.