Looting and pillage
Looting is often regarded as an unfortunate side-effect of armed conflict and environmental disaster, but it can cause extensive damage in its own right. History is littered with examples of victorious armies removing the cultural property of the enemy they have just defeated as the ‘spoils of war’, which is known today as pillage (that is, looting by armies, rather than looting by civilians). At one time, it was common practice for armies to pay their troops in this way. One of the oldest examples is from the 8th century BC, recording how Tiglath-Pileser III, an Assyrian King, took the statues of gods from enemy cities (seen on this relief in the British Library).
After the Second World War, during which there was well documented appropriation of cultural property by forces on all sides, the 1954 Hague Convention was established. Since that time there has been little systematic removal of cultural property by victorious countries during international conflicts. The situation is not as clear, however, in the case of conflicts within countries or those waged by armed non-state actors (ANSAs). Unfortunately, souvenir and trophy collection are still frequently a characteristic of troops and other individuals returning from conflict. However, looting is more likely to be carried out by civilians, whether from museums, libraries, archives, or archaeological sites - which can completely destroy them. Following conflict or environmental disaster, a breakdown in social order, the absence of effective law enforcement agencies, and/or unemployment and economic hardship, can all cause people to turn to theft and looting. Sometimes this is done on an individual ad hoc basis; at other times it can become part of deliberate, systemic, and sometimes targeted, looting by organised criminal organisations feeding the illicit international art market, and using the money to support organised crime. In Iraq in 2003, 15000 objects were stolen from the National Museum in Baghdad, and one Iraqi expert estimated that 60% of the sites in Southern Iraq were looted in the years following the Coalition invasion. This is, of course, frequently catastrophic for the study of the past. Allowing it to continue can also affect mission success for the armed forces, as there is increasing evidence that at least some of the profits of such looting are invested in the continuation of the conflict. Such looting, either after armed conflict or environmental disaster, also undermines the future opportunities for cultural tourism to contribute to longer-term economic stability. However, a lack of awareness of relevant legislation in organisations such as a national police force, or in the customs and border forces, can also contribute to damage during conflict as key legislation that might deter illegal activities is not enforced.
Mitigation: Awareness raising must be conducted amongst locals who loot sites, those who purchase antiquities (tourists and dealers), armed forces who may be offered looted “souvenirs”, and police, borders, and customs forces. Many countries now insist on stringent searches of the baggage of both military and civilian personnel returning from deployment; trophy collection for personal enjoyment and re-sale is now only an occasional issue. It is also essential for organisations such as national police forces, and borders and customs agencies, to receive training in relevant legislation and in identifying illicit antiquities during peacetime.
The problems of illicit trafficking cross borders and nations; what begins in a country in conflict can quickly move across the world, requiring Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and bilateral agreements for countries to cooperate to target those involved in multi-national operations, as well as training for international organisations like Interpol. Work by Dr Neil Brodie, Dr Katie Paul, and others, has established the internet is becoming an important tool for the sale of illicit antiquities: greater regulation of online sales is also important.
After the Second World War, during which there was well documented appropriation of cultural property by forces on all sides, the 1954 Hague Convention was established. Since that time there has been little systematic removal of cultural property by victorious countries during international conflicts. The situation is not as clear, however, in the case of conflicts within countries or those waged by armed non-state actors (ANSAs). Unfortunately, souvenir and trophy collection are still frequently a characteristic of troops and other individuals returning from conflict. However, looting is more likely to be carried out by civilians, whether from museums, libraries, archives, or archaeological sites - which can completely destroy them. Following conflict or environmental disaster, a breakdown in social order, the absence of effective law enforcement agencies, and/or unemployment and economic hardship, can all cause people to turn to theft and looting. Sometimes this is done on an individual ad hoc basis; at other times it can become part of deliberate, systemic, and sometimes targeted, looting by organised criminal organisations feeding the illicit international art market, and using the money to support organised crime. In Iraq in 2003, 15000 objects were stolen from the National Museum in Baghdad, and one Iraqi expert estimated that 60% of the sites in Southern Iraq were looted in the years following the Coalition invasion. This is, of course, frequently catastrophic for the study of the past. Allowing it to continue can also affect mission success for the armed forces, as there is increasing evidence that at least some of the profits of such looting are invested in the continuation of the conflict. Such looting, either after armed conflict or environmental disaster, also undermines the future opportunities for cultural tourism to contribute to longer-term economic stability. However, a lack of awareness of relevant legislation in organisations such as a national police force, or in the customs and border forces, can also contribute to damage during conflict as key legislation that might deter illegal activities is not enforced.
Mitigation: Awareness raising must be conducted amongst locals who loot sites, those who purchase antiquities (tourists and dealers), armed forces who may be offered looted “souvenirs”, and police, borders, and customs forces. Many countries now insist on stringent searches of the baggage of both military and civilian personnel returning from deployment; trophy collection for personal enjoyment and re-sale is now only an occasional issue. It is also essential for organisations such as national police forces, and borders and customs agencies, to receive training in relevant legislation and in identifying illicit antiquities during peacetime.
The problems of illicit trafficking cross borders and nations; what begins in a country in conflict can quickly move across the world, requiring Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and bilateral agreements for countries to cooperate to target those involved in multi-national operations, as well as training for international organisations like Interpol. Work by Dr Neil Brodie, Dr Katie Paul, and others, has established the internet is becoming an important tool for the sale of illicit antiquities: greater regulation of online sales is also important.
Blue Shield UK is heavily involved in countering the illicit trafficking of antiquities in the UK. Several of our members are part of firms that are strongly involved in preventing illicit trafficking, including Canvas Art Law, and the Art Loss Register. We regularly contribute to training around the world on countering illicit trafficking, and advise the UK Metropolitan Police Art and Antiques Squad in London on live investigations and prosecutions, acting as a source of referrals and co-ordination with experts and countries of origin. Our members act as liaisons with source countries to obtain approvals, instructions and further information and evidence and working with law enforcement on investigations of archival material from conflict zones. Our Chair is also a member of the Blue Shield International Countering Trafficking Working Group.
With partners like the Antiquities Coalition, we lobby for improvement in UK legislation, including highlighting issues in the implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, and the UK repeal of the EU Regulation on the Import of Cultural Goods (EU 2019/880).
With partners like the Antiquities Coalition, we lobby for improvement in UK legislation, including highlighting issues in the implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, and the UK repeal of the EU Regulation on the Import of Cultural Goods (EU 2019/880).
Following the UK’s Repeal of the EU Import Regulation in Great Britain, will Northern Ireland become a gateway to Europe for illicit cultural property? Recommendations for the UK to mitigate this risk and seize the opportunity to strike the right balance.
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UK Implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention For The Protection Of Cultural Property In The Event Of Armed Conflict: S. 17 Offence Dealing In Unlawfully Exported Cultural Property: Position Paper
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Lear more about the laws preventing looting and illicit trafficking of antiquities in the Law Library of the BSI website.
Visit the Document Library of the BSI website to learn more about looting and illicit trafficking of antiquities.
See this awareness raising pack for tourists created by the Antiquities Coalition.
16/11/2021 - POLICY BRIEF: THINK TANK RECOMMENDS BRITISH GOVERNMENT CLOSE A GATEWAY FOR ILLICIT CULTURAL PROPERTY
24/5/2021 - PRESS RELEASE: BLUE SHIELD UNITED KINGDOM CONCERNED UK UNPREPARED TO PREVENT UK BECOMING A GATEWAY FOR LOOTED OBJECTS
Visit the Document Library of the BSI website to learn more about looting and illicit trafficking of antiquities.
See this awareness raising pack for tourists created by the Antiquities Coalition.
16/11/2021 - POLICY BRIEF: THINK TANK RECOMMENDS BRITISH GOVERNMENT CLOSE A GATEWAY FOR ILLICIT CULTURAL PROPERTY
24/5/2021 - PRESS RELEASE: BLUE SHIELD UNITED KINGDOM CONCERNED UK UNPREPARED TO PREVENT UK BECOMING A GATEWAY FOR LOOTED OBJECTS