Noodroep! --> Nederlands
In the past, Werkgroep Hagal has already adressed many an appeal to its sympathizers. A first project was Oproep Halloneen!, in which we fixed attention on the fallacies with regard to certain historical celebrations. In a second appeal, Oproep Algiz, we incited to playfully apply folkish symbols to stolen Germanic heritage, like cribs.
Once more Werkgroep Hagal perceives the necessity, from our own sense of duty, to inform You, dear like-minded brothers and sisters, of a disgrace. This very disgrace cannot be allowed to continue in this manner!
These malafide practices must be put to a stop! It is therefore, that we ask You to kindly share Your opinion on this matter with us! You can do this by sending an electronic message to erfwacht@hagal.be.
WERKGROEP HAGAL DEFENDS OUR HEATHEN HERITAGE:
OPROEP ERFWACHT!
It is with a growing sense of
amazement that we have noticed that on some Heathen forum communities
links are being placed to advertisements on digital market places such
as eBay, where authentic artefacts from the Germanic past are being
offered for sale. Even greater however is our dismay when we have to
observe that some of these advertisements are responded with great
enthusiasm. We take it that some of it is based on a couple of grave
misconceptions, and we found it time to take our responsability as
conscious Heathens and devote a couple of lines to these serious matters.
Archaeological finds do not appear on eBay just ike that and
neither are they offered for sale because universities and
archaeological enterprises no longer know where to store all of their
scientific rubble. They are the result of illigal excavations that are
being conducted by irresponsible amateurs and art traders, even though
in most European countries it is simply forbidden to detect
archaeological objects intentionally without the necessary licence!
The trade in ancient artefacts stimulates these illigal excavations,
encourages the looting of archaeological sites and inevitably leads to
an attenuation of our Heathen heritage. Illigal excavations are hasty,
rough and happen without any form of scientific registration. They often
take place before dawn, as a result of which meticulous scientific
observation is not even possible. But then again, scientific observation
isn’t even part of the objectives of these archaeological scavengers.
With special detectors metal objects such as swords, spearheads, shield
powls, belt buckles, jewelry and pins are being prospected and unearthed
in a very rude manner. Other find catogories such as ceramics, charcoal
or bone do not look spectacular enough and are just being thrown away.
You can imagine how many a Heathen burial ground (thé locations where
metal objects can be found as grave finds) are being brutally disturbed,
not only without any regard for the scientific information but also
without any respect for the material remains of our ancestors or their
spiritual heritage.
The situation becomes even more dramatic when one imagines that our
historical heritage is not inexhaustible. Archaeological sites do not
spring from the soil like new crops. As a comparison, due to the
excessive demand for precolumbian artefacts in a country like Peru no
less than 70 % of the archaeological heritage has been lost. An
irretrievable loss for science and a slap in the face of the people of
Peru! But also closer to home, in England, the so-called Nighthawkers
pose a serious problem and threathen some of the country’s most
important historical sites. This is why only recently English Heritage
chairman dr. Barry Cunliffe called for better guidance for police and a
national database to accurately portray the extent of the problem.
Especially sites from the Roman period seem to be the target. It becomes
even more ironic when we had to observe that as late as in the month of
January links were being placed on Heathen forum communities to
advertisements of English artefacts from, indeed, the Roman period.
“Yes”, some may argue , “but if we don’t buy these artefacts they
may fall in the hands of people who don’t even know what they’re all
about! At least we can appreciate the intrinsic value of these artefacts
…” That may very well be the case but it does not take away the fact
that by bidding on these advertisements, one stimulates the demand. And
the higher the demand, the more the suppliers will be inclined to
increase the supply! With all consequences due …
Whosoever is really committed to our Germanic heritage renounces this
wheeling and dealing immediately, no longer responds to advertisements
on eBay and no longer places these advertisements on Heathen forum
communities! He who possesses one or more historical artefacts does best
to return these to the propper authorities, so that at least the stolen
goods themselves can be returned to the robbed folk community!
We thank you for your understanding and Heathen sense of responsability.
Woden With Us!
WERKGROEP HAGAL
Spring 2009