Art Hobby Lobby smuggles thousands of Iraqi artifacts

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
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The United States has filed a civil complaint to forfeit thousands of ancient Iraqi artifacts, specifically cuneiform tablets and clay bullae, that were smuggled into the country in violation of federal law. These artifacts were shipped to Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. and its affiliates, with shipping labels misleadingly describing them as tile "samples." The artifacts originated from modern-day Iraq and were transported through the UAE and Israel. The situation raises questions about Hobby Lobby's involvement and the nature of their dealings, as the company is now under scrutiny for potentially engaging with dubious sources. The case highlights issues of cultural heritage protection and the legal ramifications of importing antiquities without proper documentation.
Greg Bernhardt
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Pretty astounding they didn't think they'd get caught. I mean, maybe dozens, even hundreds, but thousands? Of course someone is going to look into that! How shameful!

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/p...it-thousands-ancient-iraqi-artifacts-imported

Earlier today, the United States filed a civil complaint to forfeit thousands of cuneiform tablets and clay bullae. As alleged in the complaint, these ancient clay artifacts originated in the area of modern-day Iraq and were smuggled into the United States through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, contrary to federal law. Packages containing the artifacts were shipped to Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (“Hobby Lobby”), a nationwide arts-and-crafts retailer based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and two of Hobby Lobby’s corporate affiliates. The shipping labels on these packages falsely described cuneiform tablets as tile “samples.”
 
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Sounds phony to me - considering that Hobby Lobby has powerful enemies. Needs some very serious fact-checking.
 
Marie Fecher said:
Sounds phony to me - considering that Hobby Lobby has powerful enemies. Needs some very serious fact-checking.
The source is the US Department of Justice website. Not Daily Mail.
 
They definitely did something. Exactly what isn't so clear, because as one of the conditions of the agreement usually one is not allowed to challenge the government's version of events. I think it's clear that they were dealing with some shifty characters, but what parts of this were Hobby Lobby's idea and what parts of this were these shifty characters' probably will never be known.
 
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I occasionally go to a Hobby Lobby store to pick up something needed for a restore project. From now on, should I go, this will enter my mind. :oldcry:
 
If you need to restore ancient Sumerian objects, you should be golden!
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
If you need to restore ancient Sumerian objects, you should be golden!
:doh: :oldlaugh:
 
Vanadium 50 said:
If you need to restore ancient Sumerian objects, you should be golden!
I predict this will calve off shortly.
 

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