Okay, so if you make them, of course you own them, even if you claim that they are real, and are nothing but really fakes. This was just posted on the Lead Codices Facebook page. While they tried to remove pertinent contact points, the email is from Eversheds LPP.
The below email is from one of the leading law firms in London confirming ownership of the Jordan Codices by the Kingdom of Jordan. This law firm has offices in Jordan, which have stated these articles. Furthermore the IAA (Israeli Antiquities Associates) has confirmed verbally and in writing that these items were smuggled across the border from Jordan to Israel and that therefore they are Jordanian. We have posted this as a result of potential confusion that has arisen between certain parties.
—–Original Message—–
From: [deleted]
Sent: 29 April 2009 16:46
To: [deleted]
Subject: RE: Jordanian Law – Ownership of Historic Artefacts
Mr. [deleted] Esq,
Please note that the Jordanian Law defines antiquity in Article 2/4 as in the following categories; Any object (movable or movable) related to science, arts, religious, manufacturer or tradition of previous cultures (mainly pre 1700), constructed or produced or modified. This could include objects of art, manuscripts, caves, coins, pottery, manuscript and others.
Human, plant and animal remains going back to a date earlier than the year A. D. 600.
Immovable antiquities are defined as connected to earth, whether constructed or buried including inland and territorial waters. While movable antiquities are disconnected from earth or from immovable antiquities.
Article 2/4/7/9 of The Antiquities Law no. 21 of 1988 provides;
7 - Antiquity:
A- Any object, whether movable of immovable, which has been constructed, shaped, inscribed, erected, excavated, or otherwise produced or modified by humankind earlier than the year 1750 A.D. including caves, sculpture, coins, pottery, manuscripts and all sorts of artefacts that indicate the rise and development of sciences, arts, manufactures, religions, and traditions relating to previous cultures, or any part added thereto, reconstructed or restored at a later date.
B- Any object, movable or immovable, as defined in the previous subsection referring to a date subsequent to the year 1750 A.D., which the Minister may declare to be antique by order published in the Official Gazette.
C- Human, plant and animal remains going back to a date earlier than the year 600 A.D.
10- Movable Antiquities:
Where the antiquities which are disconnected from the earth or from immovable antiquities and can be displaced without damaging it or damaging the antiquities linked therewith or the place where it was discovered.
12- Dealer:
Any person, whether natural or legal, who trades with antiquities.
In accordance with Articles 21, 26 of the Antiquities Law no. 21 of 1988, The government is the sole owner of immovable antiquities and ownership of movable antiquities is also governed by this law. The government required any person in possession of any antiquity object (which was permissible before 1976) to register their collection and if DoA did not buy it then it could remain in the possession of the owner, with no right to dispose of them except with the permission of DoA.
Exchange & trade in Antiquities
Trading in Antiquities is forbidden in the Kingdom. The government required any person in possession of any antiquity object (which was permissible before 1976) to register their collection and if Department of Antiques did not buy it then it could remain in the possession of the owner, with no right to dispose of them except with the permission of DoA.
Export of movable antiquities is forbidden, subject to the approval of the Minister. In addition the right to lend, exchange or donate antiquities to official, educational institutions or museums is limited to the Council of Ministers, with certain conditions.
Article 5 provides;
A- The government shall be the sole owner of immovable antiquities and no other authority shall by any means whatsoever, appropriate these antiquities or raise any defenses against the State by way of right of ownership, prescription or other defenses.
B- Ownership of any movable antiquities, possession and disposition thereof shall be governed by the provisions of this law.
D- Ownership of the land does not vest its owner with the right to ownership of the antiquities existing thereon and therein, or disposing with it, and does not entitle him to excavate for antiquities therein.
E- The government may expropriate or buy any land or antiquity if it is in the interest of the Department to expropriate or buy it.
Article 21 provides;
All antiquities discovered during excavations carried out by any party shall be considered the property of the State. The Department may grant any licensed party some of the movable antiquities found in the excavation, in cases where other similar objects are found in the excavation where these were discovered, subject to the conditions and obligations imposed by the Department.
Article 23 provides
Trading in antiquities is forbidden in the Kingdom, and all trading licenses are considered canceled with the coming into force of this law.
Article 25 provides
A- The Department may buy some of all of the antiquities in the
possession of the holder thereof, the price of which can be agreed upon with the Minister. If no agreement is reached, the price would be estimated by two experts; one of whom to be appointed by the Department and the other by the owner of the antiquities. If the two experts do not reach an agreement, they then should appoint a third expert as an umpire.
B- If the Department refrains from buying the antiquities, the owner
may transfer its ownership to others; provided that such transfer takes place with the knowledge of the Department.
In accordance with article 26 A punishment by imprisonment of not less than less than one year and not more than three years and a fine of not less than three thousand Dinars and commensurate with the value of the effect shall be imposed on:
2. Antiquities dealer, or who assisted or participated in or incited or inter to do so.
3. Did not provide a list of the antiquities that are owned or in his possession on the date the provisions of this law come into force.
8. The theft of antiquities.
9. Dealt in fake antiquities as genuine ones.
For further inquiries please don’t hesitate to contact me upon your convenience.
Yours sincerely
[deleted]
Attorney At Law
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