Who We Are
The Antiquities Coalition unites a diverse group of experts in the global fight against cultural racketeering: the illicit trade in antiquities by organized criminals and terrorist organizations.
The Problem
Cultural racketeering is the systematic looting and trafficking of art and antiquities by organized crime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation now ranks it as a multi-billion dollar global industry.Learn about Cultural Racketeering
Cultural cleansing is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a targeted group and their cultural heritage, with the intention of eliminating not only a people, but all physical evidence of them.Learn about Cultural CleansingCulture Under Threat Maps
The Antiquities Coalition has developed an interactive map outlining the deliberate destruction of heritage sites by Daesh and other violent extremist groups. This map shows what has been lost and what is still at stake.
Explore the interactive maps→
What We’ve Lost
In this last year, we have lost entire chapters of our shared history, and some of the Cradle of Civilization’s most iconic masterpieces and sites, to plunder and iconoclasm.
Umayyad Mosque
Aleppo, Syria
Mausoleum of Mohammad Bin Ali
Palmyra, Syria
Click the arrows and scroll to see these images before and after.
Explore more interactive before and after images→
The Antiquities Coalition is Fighting Back
Our innovative and practical solutions tackle crimes against heritage head on, empowering communities and countries in crisis.
“Egypt is working alongside regional and international partners such as the Antiquities Coalition to stem the flow of stolen antiquities.”
The Antiquities Coalition “provides a powerful example of what can be achieved through partnerships between governments and NGOs.”
“The [Antiquities] Coalition, since its inception in March 2011, has shown great support and exerted utmost efforts to raise awareness and combat the looting and illegal trade of Egyptian antiquities and artifacts.”
“The Antiquities Coalition, UNESCO, and other organizations have already sounded the alarm, and the U.S. should leverage their insights, networks, and activism to stem the flow of funds to ISIS from this trade.”
BLOG
Get the latest news on how the Antiquities Coalition is standing up to protect ancient artifacts.
Cultural Memoranda of Understanding: An Important Diplomatic Tool for Protecting Heritage
By Deborah Lehr Crossposted from the Huffington Post As the world’s largest art market, the United States is the premier destination for the legitimate trade in [...]
Global Leaders Meet to Discuss Countering Violent Extremism
Halting Illicit Trade in Conflict Antiquities A Priority WASHINGTON D.C., July 10, 2017—The U.S. government will host the Global Coalition Against Daesh (ISIS) from July [...]
DAESH DESTROYS ANCIENT IRAQI AL NURI MOSQUE
Destruction Part of Ongoing Campaign of Cultural Cleansing and Racketeering FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, DC, June 23, 2017—The Antiquities Coalition strongly condemns the latest attack [...]