ACTION ALERT: The U.S. State Department needs your input
 
Some of the world's first coins were produced in Cyprus, minted as early as the 6th c. B.C. Today, ancient coins are being looted from Cyprus to fulfill a strong overseas demand. Cyprus has requested that the U.S. restrict import of Cypriot ancient coins that are more than 250 years old. In response, the State Dept has invited comments from interested parties.

By including Cypriot coins on the ?restricted" list, the U.S. would send an important message for the preservation of cultural materials and enhance our understanding of the undiscovered past.

SAFE encourages you to join Patty Gerstenblith, Randall White, and others in submitting comments by e-mail or fax no later than 5 PM on Monday, February 5.

Here's how, act NOW... 

 U.S. returns rare Fasting Buddha to Pakistan
 
In September 2005, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Newark, N.J. seized two shipments of Gandharan artifacts, citing a false statement on the customs manifest and formally returned the treasures to Pakistan at a ceremony and press conference on January 23.

Among the seized items were a 3rd c. AD carved stone frieze depicting the Teaching Buddha and an extremely rare 3rd c. AD stone carving of the Fasting Buddha, one of only two full-figure Fasting Buddhas known to have survived intact (the other example is at the Lahore Museum). After a 16-month investigation, ICE agents determined that the material had been looted from archaeological sites in northern Pakistan.

Combining Buddhist ideals and narrative tradition with Greek-inspired realism developed by artisans who had worked in Central Asia since the time of Alexander the Great, Gandharan sculptors achieved true iconic power during the 3rd to 5th c. AD in works such as the Fasting Buddha. The sculpture depicts the final moment of Siddhartha's self-imposed austerity, a six-year fast that brought him to the threshold between life and death in his pursuit of Enlightenment. The example at Lahore is considered a Pakistan national treasure, which makes the theft of the sculpture from an unidentified site and seizure at Newark all the more alarming. SAFE was present for the hand-over ceremony.

A more complete account of the investigation with additional photographs will be presented on the SAFE website soon.

Read more... 

 * new *  SAFE news archives
 
At SAFE, we?re continually working to improve our organization and our website. We?re pleased to roll out a news archive that includes stories previously highlighted on our home page (back to March 2006). Access the archive via links on the home page and ?resources? section. If you haven?t perused the SAFE website in a while, click around to view our newer features. And watch for more website upgrades.

Go to the news archives... 

 Spread the word
 
Help us generate submissions to our 2007 Student Illustration and Photography Competition which calls on students across the globe to create powerful graphic images that convey the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
First prize: US$250!

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 In the news
 

• Cyprus asks US to help protect ancient coins
• Smuggling ring broken up in Sicily
• Algeria tries to curb illicit antiquities trade
• Looters' cache of gladiator reliefs recovered in Rome
• U.S. Customs returns looted artifacts to Pakistan
• Diplomatic bags being used to smuggle antiquities
• Olympic Games reveal China's undiscovered past
• Iranian government battles for Persian relief
• Getty ex-curator on trial, points fingers
• Italy: smuggling ring tied to Miho Museum
• Bulgaria working on laws to protect cultural heritage

Read the articles...