Financing Archaeological Preservation of the Suburban Petroglyphs

Cambodia to a mantle in a New York penthouse, the path of anantiquity is the profitable for some, but leaves behind a wide swath of economic, environmental and cultural degradation. Despite increased awareness and global attempts at enforcement, the growth of the illicit antiquities trade into a $4 billion market is a clear sign that there are more rewards than actual risks. However, according to this report from the Milken Institute, an overhaul of incentives could change the market to create significant cultural and economic value. According to Financial Innovations for Developing Archaeological Discovery and Conservation, there are market-based solutions that can promote legal discovery and conservation, while at the same time stop or at least mitigate the effects of looting. The report offers three possible solutions to explore: long-term leases for museums and exhibitions, museum/collector partnership sponsored digs and the design and development of archaeological development bonds.
Petroglyph National Monument Preserves Ancient Art in a Suburban Context: Suburbia is on one side of the street, traces of an ancient people on the other. But it’s easy to forget the 21st century within Petroglyph National Monument, which is home to more than 20,000 images pecked into dark boulders by the ancient ancestors of today’s American Indians, Spanish settlers and later visitors.