Author: Oscar White Muscarella
The Iranian World: Essays on Iranian Art and Archaeology Presented to Ezat O. Negahban, Edited by: Abbas Alizadeh, Yousef Majidzadeh, Sadegh Malek Shahmirzadi, Iran University Press, Tehran, 1999

Abstract:
The paper contrasts the professional activities of Professor Ezat Negahban with that of Arthur Upham Pope. Beginning as a young man and continuing throughout his career as a field archaeologist, Negahban combated the plundering of archaeological sites in Iran, which he knew resulted in the desruction of ancient Iranian – and the worlds – cultural history. In this endeavor, he was opposed by many forces, dealers, collectors, members of the royal family, and even alleged scholars, among them Roman Ghirshman. But he persevered. One of Negahban`s opponents was Pope, an extraordinaty, and complex individual who played a large role in bringing forth information about ancient and Islamib Iran through his invovement in exhibitions, institutions, and publishing. Paralleling these activities, however, was that of Pope the dealer in Iranian antiquities, a role which he deliberately kept secret from scholars. It is argued that selling antiquities was the main force in his life, that it informed and manipulated hos other, better known, activities. The paper concludes that the beliefs and activities of the two men represent the two opposing forces confronting archaeology today, excavation or destruction.

Bibliography:
White Muscarella, Oscar, The Pope And The Bitter Fanatic, The Iranian World: Essays on Iranian Art and Archaeology Presented to Ezat O. Negahban, Edited by: Abbas Alizadeh, Yousef Majidzadeh, Sadegh Malek Shahmirzadi, Iran University Press, Tehran, 1999, pp 5-12.