Schoyen collection

This article deals with the history of various methods to read palimpsests with Christian Palestinian Aramaic and Syriac texts (fifth to seventh century) of diverse makings and origins, and the different results achieved through them in the last forty years. Early Christian Palestinian Aramaic and a variety of Syriac texts can be found hidden under a number of scripts such as Arabic, Christian Palestinian Aramaic, Georgian, Greek, Hebrew, and Syriac. Some have even been overwritten two or three times, which makes deciphering them an arduous task. The Hebrew square script tends to be particularly awkward, as it can cover almost the whole lower script, which is then at times difficult to bring out with any technical methods, including even multispectral imaging. It will be demonstrated that such obstacles could and can be overcome with a number of approaches.

On his collection's webpage, Martin Schøyen published the letter (July 1, 2022) from his lawyer Cato Schiøtz with fictional provenance claims, supplied with a series of documents held to substantiate claims, https://www.schoyencollection.com/images/Glittertind%20Letter%20to%20KHM%201July2022%20-%20English%20translation.pdf. Lawyer Schiøtz reiterates claims in Morgenbladet 26.08.2022. The provenance claims and submitted documents are reviewed in a memo by Chr. Prescott  for the Museum of Cultural History August 1, 2022.  The original report of March 2022 is found here:  https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/report-with-assessment-and-recommendations-concerning-objects-impounded-august-24-2021/id2903280/

In the wake of the trade in ancient materials, several ethical and political issues arise that merit concern: the decimation of the cultural heritage of war-torn countries, proliferation of corruption, ideological connotations of orientalism, financial support of terrorism, and participation in networks involved in money laundering, weapon sales, human trafficking and drugs. Moreover, trafficking and trading also have a harmful effect on the fabric of academia itself. This study uses open sources to track the history of the private Schøyen Collection, and the researchers and public institutions that have worked with and supported the collector. Focussing on the public debates that evolved around the Buddhist manuscripts and other looted or illicitly obtained material from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, this article unravels strategies to whitewash Schøyen’s and his research groups’ activities. Numerous elements are familiar from the field of antiquities trafficking research and as ...

In the wake of the trade in ancient materials, several ethical and political issues arise that merit concern: the decimation of the cultural heritage of war-torn countries, proliferation of corruption, ideological connotations of orientalism, financial support of terrorism, and participation in networks involved in money laundering, weapon sales, human trafficking and drugs. Moreover, trafficking and trading also have a harmful effect on the fabric of academia itself. This study uses open sources to track the history of the private Schøyen Collection, and the researchers and public institutions that have worked with and supported the collector. Focussing on the public debates that evolved around the Buddhist manuscripts and other looted or illicitly obtained material from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, this article unravels strategies to whitewash Schøyen's and his research groups' activities. Numerous elements are familiar from the field of antiquities trafficking research and as such adds to the growing body of knowledge about illicit trade and collecting. A noteworthy element in the Schøyen case is Martin Schøyen and his partners' appeal to digital dissemination to divorce collections from their problematic provenance and history and thus circumvent contemporary ethical standards. Like paper publications, digital presentations contribute to the marketing and price formation of illicit objects. The Norwegian state's potential purchase of the entire Schøyen collection was promoted with the aid of digital dissemination of the collection hosted by public institutions. In the wake of the Schøyen case, it is evident that in spite of formal regulations to thwart antiquities trafficking, the continuation of the trade rests on the attitudes and practice of scholars and institutions.

This review article highlights the importance of the early manuscripts of Christian Palestinian Aramaic by examining several manuscripts belonging to Codex Sinaiticus Rescriptus which, because of their early date and their internal dialectal characteristics, are significant for a better understanding of Western Aramaic.

Det nasjonale kulturminnevernet i Norge er sterkt. Historisk sett var en nasjonal agenda styrende for kulturminnevernet, men på 1970-tallet utfordret samenes kamp en del av de tilvendte nasjonale idéer, og det samiske kulturminnevernet ble styrket. I dag er både det nasjonale og det samiske kulturminnevernet godt forankret i den statlige forvaltningen, og det er i hovedsak enighet om målene og virkemidlene. Utfordringer i form av globaliseringen,
teknologiutviklingen og den internasjonale handelen med gjenstander stiller nå nye krav til den nasjonale forvaltningen om å agere internasjonalt.

Den islamske statens rasering av kulturarven i Syria og Irak har vekket berettiget oppmerksomhet. Når det gjelder utarmingen av kulturarven og forskningskildene, er det imidlertid en annen virksomhet som er mer skadelig. Plyndringen av arkeologiske lokaliteter, museumsmagasiner og kultsteder i Irak og Syria er antakelig en større trussel mot fremtidig forskning og formidling enn propagandastuntene til IS.

Gamle buddhistiske skrifter reddet ut av Afghanistan i Talibans tid og innlemmet i Martin Schøyens samling, bør vurderes kjøpt av den norske stat og tilbakeført til Afghanistan, skriver doktorgradsstipendiat Atle Omland (t.v.) og førsteamanuensis Christopher Prescott ved Institutt for arkeologi, kunsthistorie og konservering ved Universitetet i Oslo.

Summary: Looting and illicit trade in antiquities: legal meassures and international responsibilities.

The ratification of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural  Property by Norway, has resulted in new legislative tools against traficking in cultural materials. Earlier, Norwegian law solely protected what is defined as the country's own national
cultural heritage, whereas now cultural material from other states signatory to this convention, illegally exported fromtheir country of origin, should be prevented from crossing  Norwegian borders. It is argued that the change is a result of the public controversy and debate adressing ethical and legal issues in the Schøyen collection and the implications of the dubious provenance concerning manuscripts in the collection.Theft, either from museums or as a result of looting fromarchaeological sites, range as one of the most serious threats to the preservation of cultural heritage globally. 
The article therefore discuss the importance of the academic community in these matters; its responsibility in showing the public that looting will continue as long as there is a demand for unprovenanced cultural objects in the antiquities industry.

Since the new regulations entered into force January 1st 2007, Norwegian Customs have not yet (August 2008) seized any foreign, cultural objects. A report  from the University of Oslo documents that the Norwegian Customs lacks basic knowledge necessary to fulfill the task of controlling the import of cultural objects to the country.

The article concludes that, so far, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, as theresponsible Norwegian authority, has not succeded in preventing illicit import and export in cultural objects.