Heritage & illicit trade

Demand and supply

Today, there is a large and growing trade in archaeological and ethnographic objects that can be bought and sold in most countries of the world as ‘art'. Many end up in the museums and private collections of North America, Europe and Japan.

Worldwide problem

The geographical range of the trade has expanded greatly over the past few decades because during that time the cost of travel has dropped enormously and political barriers have fallen. Thus cultural sites in the Sahara, the Himalayas and the Amazonian rainforest are no longer safe because they are no longer inaccessible. The political reforms that have swept through the former communist bloc have also opened countries there to the trade.

International conventions

There are several international conventions and agreements that have been drafted to stop the trade in illegally-acquired cultural objects. The most important is the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, which has been ratified by 107 countries.

Role of museums

Museums have the power to make or break the trade. This is for three reasons. First, by acquiring unprovenanced objects through gift or through purchase they create a demand. Second, by acquiring unprovenanced objects they also set an example, and send a clear signal to private collectors that it is an acceptable practice. Finally, by displaying archaeological objects as treasures or great works of art, they increase their desirability, and again enhance demand. Thus museum practice can actively promote or discourage the market.

Cause of cultural crimes

In many countries, the fundamental cause of looting is poverty. Poor farmers can earn more from digging up archaeological sites or stealing from monuments than they can from the sale of crops. In times of war, too, archaeological sites and museums are a ready source of income for people whose livelihoods have been destroyed, though sometimes there are more sinister motives – the money earned from the sale of looted material can be used to keep armed militia in the field.

Solution

So the battle to stop the looting of cultural sites proceeds on two fronts. If collectors and museums in the West can be persuaded that it is not fashionable or clever to buy unprovenanced objects, then demand will shrive. If people living in the vicinity of sites are offered realistic subsistence options, then looting will stop and supply will dry up.

Respected experts in the field share their views, case studies and insight in the different aspects of cultural crimes. We are very much interested in more case studies or articles. If you would like to contribute, please contact the editor of this special: Drs Daan van Dartel (d.v.dartel@kit.nl)

Documents

• Book and Map Security by Mr. John Critchley
• Information for travellers (in Dutch) by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
• Tainted Temple Clock of Cambodia by drs. Jos van Beurden
• Theft, the Internet and Museum Objects: Threats and Opportunities. By Ton Cremers