Looted Art and Antiquities in the Middle East Panel

from Herrick, Feinstein LLP

Herrick’s Art Law Group and The Art Newspaper hosted “Looted Art & Antiquities in the Middle East” the second installment in our 2016 Art Business Forum series of discussions on business issues affecting the art world. Our panel of distinguished speakers covered recent issues relating to looted art and antiquities including: 

■ AAMD’s new protocol for safeguarding “conflict antiquities”–cultural heritage in war torn countries

■ A recently passed bill preventing looted Syrian antiquities from entering the U.S.

The discussion was moderated by Julia Halperin, museums editor, The Art Newspaper.

Panelists included: 

■ Brian Daniels, Director of Research and Programs, Penn Cultural Heritage Center

■ Katharyn Hanson, Archeologist, Smithsonian Fellow, Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute

■ Peter Herdrich, CEO, Cultural Capital Group and co-founder, The Antiquities Coalition

■ Lawrence M. Kaye, partner and Art Law Group co-chair, Herrick, Feinstein LLP

■ Zakir Yılmaz, Expert, Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey

EGYPT PULSE

This map on the Antiquities Coalition website shows areas where archaeological sites and cultural treasures are under threat in the Middle East. (photo by The Antiquities Coalition)

Digital map seeks to document ‘trail of destruction’ of Mideast antiquities

On Jan. 28, 2011, as anti-regime protesters clashed with riot police in and around Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square, forcing police to withdraw from the streets, looters took advantage of the security vacuum to break into the nearby Egyptian Museum. They reportedly ransacked the ticket office, raided the museum shop for jewelry and snatched valuable artifacts from display cases.

The museum theft sent shock waves across the country, raising concerns about the security of Egypt’s precious cultural objects and monuments. Curators and archaeologists sounded the alarm at the threats facing the country’s antiquities — including looting, institutional corruption and land grabs (encroachment on antiquities’ land by the government or private citizens for building or agriculture) — which they feared had been amplified by the lawlessness following the Arab Spring. 

Their fears were not unfounded. On Aug. 14, 2013, looters broke into the Malawi Museum in the Upper Egyptian city of Minya, destroying nearly 500 artifacts and stealing more than 1,000 objects, including coins, jewels and statues dating from the time of the pharaohs to the Islamic period.

The vandalism appeared to be an act of revenge, taking place hours after the violent dispersal by police of two Cairo sit-ins demanding the reinstatement of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, unseated several weeks earlier following military-backed protests. On Jan. 24, 2014, a powerful blast from a car bomb targeting Cairo’s Security Directorate in the populous Cairo neighborhood of Bab El Khalq caused extensive damage to the facade and much of the interior of the adjacent 19th century Museum of Islamic Art.

Egypt’s museums are not the only casualties of the chaos that has rocked the country since the January 25 Revolution in 2011. Archaeological sites have been increasingly plundered by antiquities thieves and tomb raiders, lamented Monica Hanna, an Egyptian archaeologist who has been documenting the destruction of Egypt’s heritage on Egypt’s Heritage Task Force Facebook site (which she co-founded after the revolution.) Photographs she has taken of dogs chewing on human bones and mummy fragments strewn across the Abu Sir Al Malaq archaeological site, south of Cairo, after the site was ravaged extensively, bear testament to the large scale looting that has taken place at significant excavation sites in Egypt since the 2011 revolution.

Once a burial ground for ancient Egypt’s elite from the 17th Dynasty through the Coptic Era, the Abu Sir Al Malaq site has been reduced to a barren wasteland of black holes and empty tunnels. The pictures serve as a wake-up call alerting the public to the problem of cultural racketeering (the global trade in looted antiquities) and the need for urgent action to safeguard these sites.

“The plunder of these sites not only robs them of artifacts, but also destroys the sites and the historical context of the pieces in the process,” said Katie Paul, an anthropologist and researcher who is the chief of staff for the Washington-based nonprofit Antiquities Coalition.

The looting and smuggling of antiquities has reverberated across the Middle East and North Africa region. A multibillion-dollar industry that funds terrorist groups and organized crime alike, the global trafficking of antiquities has been used by extremist groups as both a fundraising tool and a weapon of war. The world was aghast over the Islamic State’s (IS) demolition of the ancient Iraqi city of Nimrud in April 2015 and the destruction of the ancient ruins in the Syrian city of Palmyra in August 2015. Meanwhile, a video released by IS earlier this month purportedly showed militants blowing up the 2,500-year-old Nabu temple in Iraq. It also showed a fanatic dressed in black pledging to destroy “ancient sites built by the infidels.” The Pyramids of Giza appeared in the final scene of the video, leading many to believe that the latest IS threat was directed specifically at the 5,000-year-old monuments.

The severity of the threats toward the historical heritage sites in the region has prompted Arab governments to act collectively to combat transnational trafficking networks. In May 2015, the Antiquities Coalition partnered with the government of Egypt, the Middle East Institute and UNESCO to hold a conference focused on coordinated regional efforts to combat the looting of antiquities. Ministers from 10 Arab League countries gathered to discuss these threats and released the Cairo Declaration outlining the next steps for these countries to take as they move toward a more coalesced effort at stopping antiquities trafficking.

To aid efforts to protect heritage, the Antiquities Coalition and Hexagon Geospatial have collaborated to produce a digital map that helps identify #CultureUnderThreat by showing the trail of destruction left behind by IS and its sympathizers, and illustrating where deliberate attacks on heritage are occurring and the sites under threat.

“As the Middle East fell further into conflict, we wanted to visualize the vast range of threats to some of the world’s oldest cultural heritage. An interactive map proved the best way to show the true reach and depth of the problem,” Paul told Al-Monitor.

To demonstrate the connections between terror groups and threats to cultural heritage, the map includes several layers, the primary layer being incidents of deliberate destruction by violent extremist organizations from January 2011 (the Arab Spring) to May 2016. While previous static maps had merely illustrated the five years of destruction, the new Smart M.App allows users to visually discern what destruction has taken place at what period. Using the timeline and graphing tools of the Smart M.App, researchers have been able to pinpoint which groups engage in looting and destruction on a country-by-country basis. Moreover, they have identified patterns in the groups’ activities that can help determine potentially imperiled sites.

The interactive map reveals that while IS dominates the destruction in Iraq and Syria, it is not the only extremist group carrying out such crimes. Groups such as al-Qaeda have increased their use of this method of destruction over the past year in places such as Yemen. 

All of the data used for the map is compiled from open-source information, which comes from monitoring groups such as the ASOR Cultural Heritage Initiatives, social media, the international press and local media in the Middle East.

“We chose this type of data set so that we would not be creating a road map to sites that may not be known to the public or to groups that would threaten them,” Paul said. “The Antiquities Coalition in collaboration with groups like Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa continually monitors these sources of information to keep the data up to date.”

The Smart M.App has helped raise awareness about the extent of the destruction among the broader public, drawing significant attention to the problem from outside of the heritage community. It has also been used as a teaching tool in university classes to illustrate the connections between terror groups and threats to cultural heritage.

“Because it is easily accessible to the public, it serves as a valuable resource for anyone anywhere to use as a means of understanding threats to the heritage of the [Middle East and North Africa] region,” Paul said.

Understanding the threats to the region’s cultural heritage is an important step to preserving the past for future generations. Stringent policies are needed to curb the trade in illicit antiquities.

“As long as there is demand for the stolen antiquities, the illicit trade will not stop,” Hanna warned. “The collectors who create the demand have more dirt on their hands than the looters that are digging.”

PDF of article here

So, Those Cool Souvenirs You Bought on Vacay Might Not Actually Be Legit

JUNE 24, 2016 @ 2:45 PM

BY: KATIE A. PAUL AND TESS DAVIS

Here’s how to tell.

The only thing better than traveling to an exotic location? Shopping for one-of-a-kind souvenirs when you get there! Just ask Carrie Bradshaw, who famously visited the old souk, aka open-air market, in Abu Dhabi in Sex and the City 2. 

It’s only natural to want a little piece of a country to take home, but one thing many people don’t know is that buying some souvenirs and works of art may actually be harmful to the place you visit or even pose a risk to you (remember what happened when Charlotte York gave in to the “forbidden experience”?!). So you might want to think twice before picking up that cool statue at the boutique shop in the bazaar!

RELATED: Tips for Traveling Internationally with Only a Carry-on

From the deserts of Egypt to the jungles of Cambodia, purchasing an artifact as a reminder of your trip could potentially be funding criminal groups. Who knew, right? Across the globe, organized criminal networks and even terrorist groups like ISIS are stealing and smuggling precious items for major cash. While these trinkets might look killer on your mantel back home, keep in mind that not only can purchasing them fund organized crime, but it can actually break the law.

“Tourists today are increasingly sophisticated, and know to avoid buying ‘blood diamonds,’ or trafficked wildlife products like ivory,” said Deborah Lehr, Chair and Founder of the Antiquities Coalition, a not-for-profit dedicated to cultural heritage preservation. “But there is a thriving black market in ‘conflict antiquities,’ which is on par with these other global crimes, yet seldom discussed.” 

RELATED: Here’s Exactly What to Wear on Your Next Plane Ride

There is a strong demand for rare artifacts in the West, and traffickers know their consumers well. The United States alone accounts for 43 percent of the global art market — that means traveling to Egypt, Jordan, or even Peru can make you an easy target for pushy salesmen.

But there’s no need to worry — the Antiquities Coalition has you covered. Here are some red flags to look for when considering purchasing a keepsake in a foreign country: 

Does it still have dirt on it?

Fresh dirt is a sign that the item was removed directly from the ground. Looted artifacts don’t just come from museums — many are ripped straight from the ground before an archaeologist can ever get to them. Dealers might tell you that dirt means it’s real, but what they don’t tell you is that it also means the piece is illegal.

Is the object sacred? 

Does it look like it came from a temple, church, synagogue, or mosque? If so, it was probably meant to stay there. Historic religious centers are common targets of traffickers from South America to Europe and Asia.

Was it originally immovable property?

Does it look like an inscription that may have come from a wall? Or perhaps a statue that is missing its feet? If it looks like it took some effort to remove, it probably did. That’s a huge warning sign.

Are there small numbers painted onto the base or edge of the object?

If you see numbers or letters carefully painted on an object, proceed with caution. These are typical museum or excavation registration numbers; an object containing these numbers was likely stolen from a museum or archaeological storage. (Indiana Jones can’t keep track of everything.)

Is the country you’re visiting in crisis?

Crisis doesn’t necessarily mean war-torn or dangerous — even the beaches of Greece are suffering from economic downfall. Any type of crisis can open the door for illegal trading.

Is the seller suspicious?

This one is pure intuition. If your gut tells you it’s a sketchy deal, you’re probably right. Your safest bet is to move on.

Does the price seem too good to be true?

If the item seems cheap — too cheap — it’s for a reason. Even if it isn’t looted, it’s probably a fake being passed off as real. Either way, it’s probably illegal.

“True story: when I was in Israel a few years ago, a shop owner told me he’d sell me an ancient piece from ‘the time of Jesus’ at a ‘good price.’ I knew right away it wasn’t legit, so I confidently told him I wasn’t in the market to buy. He quickly moved on to the next tourist when he realized he wasn’t going to make a quick buck from me (as they often do).” – Katie A. Paul

Does the antiquity have ownership history?

Just like your fave designer bag, legal antiquities should have some proof of authenticity — like the ownership history (also known as provenance). If the dealer can’t provide proof of this or other relevant paperwork like permits, then you can’t either, and the object could be seized at customs or worse — you could be seized, too.

RELATED: 8 Secrets You Should Know About Cuba Before Going

Needless to say, the checklist for safely and legally buying an ancient piece of your adventure is long and takes all of the fun out of souvenir shopping in the first place. Fortunately, there are some super stylish things you can find instead that capture the memories of your trip and even do some good in the process. Here are just a few ideas from some famous UNESCO World Heritage countries that are hot spots for tourism.

Jordan:

Pretty pieces from Petra. Bedouin jewelry is a must-have if you are exploring breathtaking scenery from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Be sure to make your way through the site’s many Bedouin shops along the trail. You will find incredible statement pieces that literally can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Even better, they’re for women, by women!

Peru:

One pot, two pot, old pot, *new* pot. In Peru, many efforts at protecting sites from looting are directly linked to the development of the local economy. Purchasing handmade replicas of pottery with traditional designs not only gives you the ancient look of an artifact, but you can also feel good knowing that your money is going directly to the artists who live and work there. Plus, these pots will look incredible in your home and also make one-of-a-kind gifts.

RELATED: 7 Expert Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

Cambodia:

Adventuring in Angkor Wat? Artisans d’Angkor is an organization that has helped to save the practices and traditions of Khmer arts, which were nearly lost in the 1970s civil war. The pieces are so incredible that they have even replaced stolen pieces at Angkor Wat and elsewhere.

No travel is complete without exotic textiles. The weaving and dyeing of Khmer silk was once regarded as some of the best in the world. It has now been saved by the Institute of Khmer Traditional Textiles, which brings together women from around Cambodia to preserve the traditions. Stop in their store in Siem Reap to get your own museum-quality piece!

Egypt:

Finding the obligatory (but fabulous) souvenir scarf. Whether you are in the Khan al Khalili souk in Cairo or a Nubian Village on the Nile, you can find beautiful handmade scarves all across Egypt. Be sure to haggle for the best price! It’s an experience you’ll remember every time you wear it.

So, you STILL want a treasure from Tut’s tomb? Get one directly from Egypt’sSupreme Council of Antiquities — a replica, of course. Egypt’s antiquities specialists are some of the best in the world, and their expertise shows in their art. Pick up a piece of ancient Egyptian art to hang in your apartment — and help fund Egypt’s antiquities preservation as a bonus!

 

When traveling to any foreign country, it is the people, places, cultures, and heritage we encounter that make a simple trip become an unforgettable experience. With purchasing knowledge, you can help preserve these places and their people — and return home with some awesome souvenirs to show off. That’s what we call a #winwin.

PDF of article here

Protecting our Global Culture

Wednesday June 22, 2016 

by Honorable Kevin Rudd

The war against Islamic State (ISIS), or Daesh, in Syria and Iraq has produced few signs of hope over the last five years. The human toll has been horrific. The economy has been devastated. And we’ve seen, also, the desecration of the cultural heritage of ancient civilizations.  Many international humanitarian workers have put their lives on the line, some fatally so, to assist the Syrian and Iraqi peoples in their hour of desperate need. These efforts largely go unnoticed in the international media, but they occur each day. These are truly the silent heroes of this appalling war.

We are reminded of the fate of Khaled al-Asaad, a renowned Syrian scholar and the head archeologist responsible for antiquities in Palmyra. Al-Asaad was captured by ISIS and interrogated for a month to try to extract from him the location of antiquities, which he had helped to hide from the black-clad militants. Yet he preferred to lay down his life for our shared, global culture than to allow its plunder. He was then brutally murdered.

We are also reminded of the extraordinary story of Alexander Prokhorenko, a Russian special forces operative deployed in Palmyra.  We’re all familiar with the controversies surrounding Russian participation in this conflict.  But Prokhorenko’s story is worth recounting as we try to understand the depths of the struggle surrounding Palmyra, the home of ancient Greco-Roman and Semitic antiquities. Prokhorenko was conducting operations in the approaches to Palmyra on March 19 when he found himself surrounded by ISIS forces. With little hope of escape, he called in an airstrike from Russian fighter pilots on his own position. Prokhorenko died in the airstrike, in another reminder of the many extraordinary acts of self-sacrifice which have emerged from this unspeakable conflict. Many other armed personnel from various countries have also laid their lives on the line to roll back the ISIS offensive and, ultimately, destroy their operation. We should be mindful of all their sacrifices.

The large-scale, pre-mediated, and highly publicized destruction by violent jihadists of ancient sites across Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Mali in recent years, and before that in Afghanistan, are only the most visible symptoms of a more virulent assault on the cultural and civilizational legacy of us all.  The retaking of Palmyra earlier this year revealed the scale of Islamic State’s systematic cultural onslaught of our common human heritage. The temples of Baal and Baalshamin were among the extremist group’s targets.

According to a March 2016 letter from Russia’s permanent representative to the UN Security Council, around 100,000 cultural objects of global importance are under ISIS control. The Russian ambassador further stressed that illicit looting and trade in antiquities added up to $150-200 million per year in revenues for the jihadists’ war chest. Indeed, the illicit trade in antiquities is the third-largest source of revenue bank-rolling ISIS’s brutal reign over large swaths of Syria and Iraq. However, that fraction is set to increase. As Yale political scientist Jason Lyall has warned, the Western strategy of economic strangulation of its illicit oil and gas trade, and military pressure on the ground, will increase militants’ incentive to loot and destroy cultural heritage, partly as a show of territorial control, and partly out of cold financial calculus. As looting becomes one of ISIS’ main cash sources and other revenue sources dry up, we should expect more indiscriminate looting in the period ahead. This heightens the need and the urgency for stronger forms of international cultural protection.

So rampant has this become that international legal analysts now speak of “cultural terrorism.” Already one individual, Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, has appeared at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly destroying cultural sites in Mali. “Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, art, science or charitable purposes” and “historic monuments” are war crimes under the Rome Statute.

Legal experts will forensically investigate this case for the possible precedents it will set, although his case may prove to be the first guilty plea at the Court. While acts of violence against cultural property in Mali are subject to prosecution, international efforts to protect cultural heritage in Syria and Iraq will be sorely tested as ISIS is slowly rolled back and ultimately defeated.

The shared responsibility of states in protecting cultural heritage from the destruction of war is reflected in the 1899 and 1907 Hague conventions. These international agreements enshrined principles which, though violated repeatedly during the Second World War, informed our post-war international legal framework for the protection of global cultural heritage from looting and destruction in wartime.

The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict(1954) adopted after World War II was the most far-reaching international agreement on this important agenda. Critically, the 1954 convention established the principle, which stands as a glimmer of light in today’s fraying global order, that “damage to cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever means damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind.” This convention was complemented by a second protocol in 1999, and UNESCO’s Declaration concerning the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage in 2003.

UNESCO has played a major role in promoting the protection of antiquities in recent years. This specialized body of the United Nations was first conceived in 1942, during the darkest days of the Second World War, when victory was far from assured. In 1945, thirty-seven governments, including Australia, founded UNESCO to promote the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” and, thereby, prevent future wars.

UNESCO’s Director-General, Irina Bokova (who has also contributed an article to thisArguendo roundtable), has received strong international support for her efforts to enhance current levels of international legal protection of cultural heritage. Bokova has rightly called the destruction of cultural heritage “a war crime that should be punished as such” and a “genocidal project;” called the protection of cultural heritage as a “humanitarian imperative;” “a battle of ideas;” and “a new global struggle for hearts and minds, especially young hearts and minds.” As Bokova stated:

“We must boost more coordination between member [U.N.] states, among law enforcement agencies, museums, auction houses, and the private market. I think all this is so important to deepen the information sharing and research, and, at the end of the day, to pass a very strong message: It is immoral; it is unethical, it is simply not right, to trade looted objects.”

These remarks offer compelling additions to the global policy debate on how to protect global cultural heritage in the shadow of war. The United States, Russia, and Iran, have thrown their support behind international efforts to track, protect, and restore looted or damaged antiquities in Iraq and Syria. This is an encouraging sign of continued great power cooperation in the protection of global public goods.

The non-profit sector has also stepped up to help. The Asia Society hosted a special high-level forum in New York City in September 2015, entitled “Culture Under Threat”, bringing together UNESCO’s Bokova, the foreign ministers of Iraq and various countries including Australia, Asia Society President Josette Sheeran, and Antiquities Coalition Chairman Deborah Lehr. Senior government officials from around the world attended this important meeting, held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015. It built on the May 2015 Cairo Declaration, which recommended a regional strategy to combat the trafficking of looted antiquities and its links to terrorist financing.

The Asia Society, in partnership with the Antiquities Coalition and the Middle East Institute — which together form the #CultureUnderThreat Task Force—set out concrete recommendations calling on the UN:

“to urge the International Criminal Court to open an investigation of cultural crimes in Iraq and Syria; to include the safeguarding of cultural resources in peacekeeping training and mandates; to incorporate heritage protection in post-conflict planning; and to support the capacity of national courts to conduct domestic prosecutions of cultural racketeering and cleansing.”

These imperatives have been taken up by the Security Council. The Chair of the UN Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) produced a set of recommendations to the Council, in 2015, chief among which was the suggestion of mandating “a worldwide moratorium on the trading of antiquities from the Syrian Arab Republic or Iraq” which lack clear, certified provenance. This recommendation informedoperative clause 17 of Resolution 2199 (2015), which decided that all member-states take appropriate steps “including by prohibiting cross-border trade” of uncertified antiquities from Iraq and Syria. This too was a positive step forward in strengthening an international cultural protection regime that has struggled to keep pace with the new forms of modern warfare by non-state actors.

As the UN Secretary-General has stressed, the destruction of our shared cultural heritage is a deliberate effort to untie the bonds of culture, history, and literature which unite our diverse tribes into a global family. By destroying culture, he argued, extremists attempt to “divide people…erase their common values, shred the social fabric, and create greater fragility and vulnerability to build a cynical ideology.”

Cultural terrorism, either in the wholesale destruction of our physical civilizational memory, or through the looting of cultural artifacts for selling on the black market to secure terrorist finance, represents a cold, rational, calculated strategy, and an increasingly important part of the arsenal of global terrorism.

The international community must continue to analyze and respond to the rapidly evolving role which cultural terrorism plays in ISIS finance, propaganda, and military strategy. And we must operationalize these insights into the strategic thinking, doctrinal training, and field manuals of UN agencies, peacekeeping operations, and the armed forces of the international coalition fighting ISIS. In all of the above, the United Nations and its institutions have central roles to play as the international custodian of the collective hopes of us all.

PDF of article here

So, Those Cool Souvenirs You Bought on Vacay Might Not Actually Be Legit

JUNE 21, 2016 @ 2:45 PM

BY: KATIE A. PAUL AND TESS DAVIS

Here’s how to tell.

The only thing better than traveling to an exotic location? Shopping for one-of-a-kind souvenirs when you get there! Just ask Carrie Bradshaw, who famously visited the old souk, aka open-air market, in Abu Dhabi in Sex and the City 2. 

It’s only natural to want a little piece of a country to take home, but one thing many people don’t know is that buying some souvenirs and works of art may actually be harmful to the place you visit or even pose a risk to you (remember what happened when Charlotte York gave in to the “forbidden experience”?!). So you might want to think twice before picking up that cool statue at the boutique shop in the bazaar!

RELATED: Tips for Traveling Internationally with Only a Carry-on

From the deserts of Egypt to the jungles of Cambodia, purchasing an artifact as a reminder of your trip could potentially be funding criminal groups. Who knew, right? Across the globe, organized criminal networks and even terrorist groups like ISIS are stealing and smuggling precious items for major cash. While these trinkets might look killer on your mantel back home, keep in mind that not only can purchasing them fund organized crime, but it can actually break the law.

“Tourists today are increasingly sophisticated, and know to avoid buying ‘blood diamonds,’ or trafficked wildlife products like ivory,” said Deborah Lehr, Chair and Founder of the Antiquities Coalition, a not-for-profit dedicated to cultural heritage preservation. “But there is a thriving black market in ‘conflict antiquities,’ which is on par with these other global crimes, yet seldom discussed.” 

RELATED: Here’s Exactly What to Wear on Your Next Plane Ride

There is a strong demand for rare artifacts in the West, and traffickers know their consumers well. The United States alone accounts for 43 percent of the global art market — that means traveling to Egypt, Jordan, or even Peru can make you an easy target for pushy salesmen.

But there’s no need to worry — the Antiquities Coalition has you covered. Here are some red flags to look for when considering purchasing a keepsake in a foreign country: 

Does it still have dirt on it?

Fresh dirt is a sign that the item was removed directly from the ground. Looted artifacts don’t just come from museums — many are ripped straight from the ground before an archaeologist can ever get to them. Dealers might tell you that dirt means it’s real, but what they don’t tell you is that it also means the piece is illegal.

Is the object sacred? 

Does it look like it came from a temple, church, synagogue, or mosque? If so, it was probably meant to stay there. Historic religious centers are common targets of traffickers from South America to Europe and Asia.

Was it originally immovable property?

Does it look like an inscription that may have come from a wall? Or perhaps a statue that is missing its feet? If it looks like it took some effort to remove, it probably did. That’s a huge warning sign.

Are there small numbers painted onto the base or edge of the object?

If you see numbers or letters carefully painted on an object, proceed with caution. These are typical museum or excavation registration numbers; an object containing these numbers was likely stolen from a museum or archaeological storage. (Indiana Jones can’t keep track of everything.)

Is the country you’re visiting in crisis?

Crisis doesn’t necessarily mean war-torn or dangerous — even the beaches of Greece are suffering from economic downfall. Any type of crisis can open the door for illegal trading.

Is the seller suspicious?

This one is pure intuition. If your gut tells you it’s a sketchy deal, you’re probably right. Your safest bet is to move on.

Does the price seem too good to be true?

If the item seems cheap — too cheap — it’s for a reason. Even if it isn’t looted, it’s probably a fake being passed off as real. Either way, it’s probably illegal.

“True story: when I was in Israel a few years ago, a shop owner told me he’d sell me an ancient piece from ‘the time of Jesus’ at a ‘good price.’ I knew right away it wasn’t legit, so I confidently told him I wasn’t in the market to buy. He quickly moved on to the next tourist when he realized he wasn’t going to make a quick buck from me (as they often do).” – Katie A. Paul

Does the antiquity have ownership history?

Just like your fave designer bag, legal antiquities should have some proof of authenticity — like the ownership history (also known as provenance). If the dealer can’t provide proof of this or other relevant paperwork like permits, then you can’t either, and the object could be seized at customs or worse — you could be seized, too.

RELATED: 8 Secrets You Should Know About Cuba Before Going

Needless to say, the checklist for safely and legally buying an ancient piece of your adventure is long and takes all of the fun out of souvenir shopping in the first place. Fortunately, there are some super stylish things you can find instead that capture the memories of your trip and even do some good in the process. Here are just a few ideas from some famous UNESCO World Heritage countries that are hot spots for tourism.

Jordan:

Pretty pieces from Petra. Bedouin jewelry is a must-have if you are exploring breathtaking scenery from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Be sure to make your way through the site’s many Bedouin shops along the trail. You will find incredible statement pieces that literally can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Even better, they’re for women, by women!

Peru:

One pot, two pot, old pot, *new* pot. In Peru, many efforts at protecting sites from looting are directly linked to the development of the local economy. Purchasing handmade replicas of pottery with traditional designs not only gives you the ancient look of an artifact, but you can also feel good knowing that your money is going directly to the artists who live and work there. Plus, these pots will look incredible in your home and also make one-of-a-kind gifts.

RELATED: 7 Expert Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

Cambodia:

Adventuring in Angkor Wat? Artisans d’Angkor is an organization that has helped to save the practices and traditions of Khmer arts, which were nearly lost in the 1970s civil war. The pieces are so incredible that they have even replaced stolen pieces at Angkor Wat and elsewhere.

No travel is complete without exotic textiles. The weaving and dyeing of Khmer silk was once regarded as some of the best in the world. It has now been saved by the Institute of Khmer Traditional Textiles, which brings together women from around Cambodia to preserve the traditions. Stop in their store in Siem Reap to get your own museum-quality piece!

Egypt:

Finding the obligatory (but fabulous) souvenir scarf. Whether you are in the Khan al Khalili souk in Cairo or a Nubian Village on the Nile, you can find beautiful handmade scarves all across Egypt. Be sure to haggle for the best price! It’s an experience you’ll remember every time you wear it.

So, you STILL want a treasure from Tut’s tomb? Get one directly from Egypt’sSupreme Council of Antiquities — a replica, of course. Egypt’s antiquities specialists are some of the best in the world, and their expertise shows in their art. Pick up a piece of ancient Egyptian art to hang in your apartment — and help fund Egypt’s antiquities preservation as a bonus!

 

When traveling to any foreign country, it is the people, places, cultures, and heritage we encounter that make a simple trip become an unforgettable experience. With purchasing knowledge, you can help preserve these places and their people — and return home with some awesome souvenirs to show off. That’s what we call a #winwin.

PDF of article here

Speaking out against blood antiquities

Chip Colwell

Author Affiliations

Email: chip.colwell@dmns.org

Science  10 Jun 2016:

Vol. 352, Issue 6291, pp. 1285

DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf9132

PDF of article here

Diamonds in the Dust: The Underlying Pedagogical Value of Old Material Collections

Christine Johnston

Near Eastern Archaeology

Vol. 79, No. 2 (June 2016), pp. 108-116

Published by: The American Schools of Oriental Research

Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5615/neareastarch.79.2.0108

Page Count: 9

PDF of article here

Culture Under Threat Smart M.App Powered by Incident Analyzer

BY DANNY KITA  ON  JUNE 3, 2016 HEXAGON SMART M.APP

The Antiquities Coalition, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-governmental organization working to stop the looting and trafficking of antiquities. They unite professionals from diverse backgrounds to join in the fight against cultural racketeering. Cultural Racketeering is the systematic theft of art and antiquities by organized criminal syndicates. Stolen antiquities generating illicit funds are being used to fund global terror campaigns.

Such a noble cause is reminiscent of the Monuments Men of World War II, who were credited with protecting and recovering many of the cultural treasures of Europe from collateral damage. Unfortunately in today’s situation, recovery is not an option.

As a means to combat the wanton destruction of historic sites, the Antiquities Coalition partnered with Hexagon to create the Culture Under Threat Smart M.App to categorize and illustrate the losses.  The intent is to call attention to the destruction wrought by Daesh, also known as ISIS, and other extremist organizations. This interactive Smart M.App-driven solution identifies and offers insight into the destruction of heritage sites in the Middle East and North Africa.

This dynamic information service, delivered through a Hexagon Smart M.App, provides a new way to visualize the campaign of destruction that ISIS and other extremist organizations have unleashed across the Middle East and North Africa. The Culture Under Threat Smart M.App temporally illustrates antiquity destruction to date with easy to use time and date slide bars showing when such incidents took place.

The ability to view this timeline with any combination of data sets allows for a unique examination of patterns. This allows experts to not only quantify data across a wide region, but provides an opportunity to understand the types of patterns that are occurring and that can better inform them for developing solutions to the critical threats caused by the destruction.

The destruction in the countries identified by the Culture Under Threat Smart M.App reveals many sites that have been deliberately targeted or destroyed. Destroyed heritage includes significant monuments from the ancient, Greco-Roman, Islamic, and modern periods alike. Pictures of the damage can be taken and uploaded to the Culture Under Threat Smart M.App so it becomes an active information exchange and visualization tool.

The engine behind the Culture Under Threat Smart M.App is the Incident Analyzer Smart M.App. Incident Analyzer has a wide range of applications in which it can be deployed to provide insightful analysis on frequency, clustering, and temporal or spatial patterns for any incidents whether they represent cultural sites as in the Culture Under Threat Smart M.App highlighted in this article, or any of a number of other incidents or events. It can be used by public safety organizations to analyze crime statistics and gain insight into crime spikes; transportation organizations will find it extremely valuable in analyzing accident data; infrastructure uses include monitoring power outage and subsequent response times to provide a thorough understanding of emergency response effectiveness. It can also be used to track emergency response and provides the ability to perform detailed analysis; health organizations can use it to identify and track the spread of worrisome disease and illnesses, government uses include analyzing a wide range of events and also enabling sharing the analysis with local citizens for full transparency in support of smart city initiatives, and many other commercial uses.

Please visit our web site http://go.hexagongeospatial.com/incident-analysis to learn more about Incident Analyzer, one of the new Smart M.Apps – the M.App of the future!

PDF of article here