This catalogue is designed to aid in the identification of those Latvian archaeological artefacts, which are more frequently acquired illegally, illegally traded and exported outside the territory of Latvia. The catalogue is meant for Latvian and foreign traders, buyers and collectors of cultural objects, law enforcement agencies, museums and other organizations working in the cultural…
Investigators recovered more than 2,000 objects, mostly coins, that they say were offered for sale through auction houses. Greek police have busted what they say is a criminal organisation that has been looting antiquities from ancient sites in the country for the past 10 years and smuggling them out to auction houses and private buyers…
Following the recent return of antiquities from the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek to Italy, the spotlight will be on other European collections that contain archaeological material that appears to have been derived from Italy. Among the museums are: Amsterdam, Allard Pierson Museum. Some 15 disputed objects linked to Ellie Borowski, Palladion Antike Kunst, and Robin Symes.…
The European Commission has proposed 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage. The final decision now lies with the European Parliament and the Council. Because cultural heritage is so central to Europe’s identity and due to the grave threats it faces in conflict zones, the European Commission considers that the time is right to…
In the National Museum of Damascus are antique books of black magic or witchcraft listing curses and spells designed to dumbfound or destroy whatever enemy is targeted by the user. Alongside these tattered works lie a bible made out of copper, religious works from the Crusader period and, elsewhere in the museum, a striking stone…
The German ‘Gesellschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte e. V.’ informs about the destruction of cultural heritage through metal detectoring. read more (in German)
The German ‘Gesellschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte e. V.’ informs about how to (or not to) buy antiquities online. read more (in German)
In a world scarred by recurrent violence against people and their heritage, the nine-year prison sentence handed down to Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, who helped to destroy shrines in Timbuktu, marks a new and welcome recognition that deliberate cultural destruction is a war crime. It is the first international trial to focus exclusively on crimes against…
Selling or moving a work out of Germany has just become a lot more difficult. The German parliament, the Bundestag, on Thursday (23.06.2016) passed a new law that will closely regulate the international sale of art and artifacts deemed to be of significant cultural value. As for ancient archeological treasures, a permit will be required…
A controversial new law protecting cultural artifacts was passed in Germany in August. Assyriologist Markus Hilgert tells DW it is a vital update for the preservation of archaeological treasures from the Middle East. read more
EAA-Committee on the Illicit Trade in Cultural Material 