Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Properties in Arab States

Offering an overview of the phenomenon of illicit trafficking of cultural properties, this book serves as a reference point for governments, enforcement agencies, international organizations, stakeholders, and civil societies. The geographic focus is the Arab World: the countries in the Middle East, Gulf of Arabia, Horn of Africa and

Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Properties in Arab States provides a bird’s-eye view of the phenomenon of illicit trafficking of cultural properties and serves as a reference point for governments, enforcement agencies, international organizations, stakeholders, and civil societies. It focuses geographically on the Arab World: the countries in the Middle East, Gulf of Arabia, Horn of Africa and North Africa. To date a holistic approach to the topic in this region has been lacking. The book investigates the nature of illicit trafficking of cultural properties, the means and impact of illicit activities and crimes perpetrated against archaeological sites and museums. Through up-to-date information, grounded on solid research data, it traces the routes of illicit trafficking and analyzes the actual situation of the targeted region with an eye on the implementation of the international conventions. The aim is to investigate possible firm responses to illicit trafficking and determine the priorities and needs of this region. The outcomes are visible recommendations on the challenge of illicit trafficking of cultural properties in the Arab region, promoting modalities for sharing data and encouraging the review of legislative and judicial systems and practices connected to illicit trafficking of cultural properties. Finally, the work encourages the coordination of stakeholders and the use of technological advances to fulfil this monumental duty.

Foreword ;

الإتجار غير المشروع بالممتلكات الثقافية في الدول العربية ;

Abstract ;

Abrégé: Le trafic illicite de biens culturels dans les États arabes ;

خلاصة ;

Summary ;

Résumé ;

Chapter One: Introduction ;

Chapter Two: Methodology ;

Chapter Three: Online platforms and auctions: online trafficking of cultural properties ;

Chapter Four: Risk Markets and the ‘end destination’ concept ;

Chapter Five: Mapping routes of illicit trafficking of cultural properties ;

Chapter Six: Illicit trafficking of cultural properties and financing of terrorism ;

Chapter Seven: Measuring illicit trafficking of cultural properties ;

Chapter Eight: Arab States and the international conventions on combating illicit trafficking of cultural properties ;

Chapter Nine: Conclusion ;

Annex 1: References ;

Annex 2: List Antiquities Laws in Arab States ;

Annexe 3: Seizures of antiquities in Arab States

Anas Al Khabour was director of the National Museum of Raqqa (2003-2008) and Director of the Antiquities Department of Raqqa (2006-2008). He has led and participated in numerous surveys and excavations in the Euphrates Valley through national, joint and international expeditions. He has worked as a researcher and lecturer at Gothenburg University in Sweden, the University Libre de Bruxelles, and was Curator of the Ancient Middle East Collection at the National Museums for World Culture in Stockholm. Currently, he is a researcher at Lund University in Sweden. His research focuses on Ancient Mesopotamian archaeology as well as endangered cultural heritage.

• By (author) Anas Al Khabour

‘The main advantage of the book is that it offers a comprehensive overview of a complex phenomenon often approached on a more limited scale. This book has the potential to become an essential textbook in the field, but the content needs to be further developed and the examples balanced so that the text becomes truly emblematic of the issue in the Arab world as a whole.’ – Marino Ficco (2024): Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies Vol. 12 No. 2

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