I stumbled upon this image of a child’s toy horse from ancient Greece. I found the piece rather upsetting. Perhaps a grandparent made this for a grandchild they adored. Or a birthday gift from an affectionate aunt. You can picture a toddler playing in the courtyard, pulling it along on a sting. Or perhaps clutching it tightly as their loving mother tucks them in at night and sings them lullabies.
The description states that it comes from a tomb, so I think we can can assume it comes from a child’s tomb. It is not a baby’s toy like a rattle and adults aren’t buried with toys. Imagine the grief of the parents as they wrap their dead child in a shroud and carefully place the little body in the tomb. Maybe they scatter flowers over the body as they weep softly. Maybe they utter prayers. Then the father carefully places the toy next to the child so they can play with it in the afterlife.
We may not know the exact beliefs or rites of the deceased. But we can agree that the loss would be no less profound for them, as it would be for any parent today. So imagine for a moment the outrage and indignation a parent today would feel if someone came, dug up their child’s bones, and took what might have been their only worldly possession.
Why is it okay for archeologists to dig up the tomb and take the toy horse? When is it grave robbing and when is it archeology.
One of the key differences according to many sources is that archeology is for scientific purposes. While grave robbing is done for personal gain. Think of Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark. Dr. Jones wants the Ark of the Covenant so it can be placed in a museum and studied. His opponent, one of the film’s villains Dr. Rene Belloc, is only in it for the money. Working with the Nazi, despite being French emphasizes how low Belloc will go.
Yet in the very opening scene in the trailer we’re reminded that Dr. Jones is as much of a “raider” as Belloc is. He steals a sacred idol from the indigenous people, giving no regard to their culture or wishes. The fact the idol is solid gold helps in his decision. It’s not like he’s go to this much effort for some pottery shards, or a child’s toy. The movie also fails to mention the fact that any museum that actually had the Ark of the Covenant would make heaps of money selling tickets to go see it.
One of the differences between archeology and grave robbing is whether it has been authorized. Usually there needs to be some sort of governmental approval and permit issued. Each country has different guidelines and statutes about what is required. This is why one couldn’t go into the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon and crack open the grave of William Shakespeare. England would never allow this. Some counties however are a little looser with their requirements. Especially with a few well placed bribes to grease the wheels.
Anything over 100 years old is generally considered of interest. Presumably to allow enough time to pass for those associated to that individual to have passed on as well.
I am torn. I love archeology. I love learning about the past and how our view on history keeps changing. I appreciate the pain staking efforts that most archeologists put in to ensure the integrity of their digs. At the same time there is something very sad about a child’s toy sitting in a museum separate from the child that loved it.