Burmese govt: Do as I say, not as I do

The Burmese Ministry of Culture prohibits mining and excavation near archaeological sites. Unfortunately, that prohibition doesn’t extend to government-owned mining concerns. Cement Factory Accused of Destroying Antiquities.

The Kawgun cave—a natural lime stone cavern, 200ft high and 300ft long—is located near a village of the same name, two miles from Hpa-an. It contains many images and artifacts that historians say date from the Pyu era, spanning the period from the first century to the ninth century AD. […]

Residents say the blasting dislodges the Kawgun cave’s Buddha statuettes and other historical objects. “Buddha statues are broken day after day, and we feel very frustrated,” a monk told The Irrawaddy. “We want to repair the damage, but it should be the responsibility of the department of archeology.”

Beautiful cave. Here’s hoping the publicity shames them into stopping the destruction.