The SBL Council at its Spring meeting last month in Atlanta voted unanimously to endorse the resolution, issued by the American Oriental Society at its annual meeting in March, calling for the safeguarding of archaeological sites in Iraq. The text of the resolution follows:

"Whereas the looting of ancient sites in Iraq continues in our day with little sign of abatement, leading to incalculable loss of historical and cultural knowledge;

And Whereas diverse archaeological and journalistic organizations have already compiled a register of such affected sites;

And Whereas responsible opinion and evaluation, based on established precedence, have suggested that a relatively modest numbers of guards can discourage if not stop looting at the most distressed archaeological sites in Iraq;

And Whereas the funding of cohorts of guards at Iraqi archaeological sites requires, in present dollars, a relatively modest sum of money;

Therefore, be it Resolved that the American Oriental Society, in meeting assembled at San Antonio, Texas, on March 18th, 2007, calls on and urges the Congress of the United States of America to legislate with dispatch a program to fund the systematic safeguarding of distressed sites until such time as the proper Iraqi authorities are ready to bring such a program under its own control."

All those agreeing with the above resolution are invited to communicate its sentiments to their senators and congressional representatives.

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Citation: , " SBL Endorses Resolution Calling for the Safeguarding of Archaeological Sites in Iraq," SBL Forum , n.p. [cited May 2007]. Online:http://sbl-site.org/Article.aspx?ArticleID=679