Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Προϊστορική ΑρχαιολογίαLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Author:
Sotiriou Konstantinos-Orfeas
Supervisors info:
Κωνσταντίνος Κοπανιάς, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Αρχαιολογίας Ανατολικής Μεσογείου, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Ελένη Μαντζουράνη, Καθηγήτρια Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Γεώργιος Βαβουρανάκης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Το φαινόμενο της αρχαιοκαπηλίας στην Ελλάδα: μια εις βάθος έρευνα μεταξύ των ετών 1999-2009
Translated title:
The antiquities smuggling phenomenon in Greece: an integrated research between 1999-2009
Summary:
The world’s cultural heritage is facing a series of destruction. Natural phenomena, extended agricultural activities and beyond all looting, destroys cultural heritage with significant importance. Through years Greece has experienced extended antiquities smuggling incidents hence an integrated research seems inevitable to be used as a tool from the authorities who are fighting this devastating phenomenon.
Besides the destruction and loss of unique ancient artifacts with which researchers could interpret lives of ancient societies, researchers have point the connection of antiquities smuggling phenomenon with corruption and the rise of organized crime. The involvement of criminal networks, such as illegal drugs and illegal guns networks in antiquities looting is, by far, the most dangerous consequence of smuggling phenomenon and many researchers have devote efforts on this subject. Archaeologists and researchers have pointed the problems for a complete research of the antiquities smuggling phenomenon. The problems usually related to available data.
Gaining a special permit from the Greek Police Headquarters and considering the Greek Law on sensitive data information we examined a vast number of files from the Department Against Antiquities Smuggling of Greek Police (Athens office). Our main aim was to make a comprehensive study on the smuggling phenomenon. We had the opportunity to examine 246 arrests and 117 reliable denunciations between the years 1999 to 2009 in Greece. All these arrests and the confiscations gave a great opportunity to study a series of important details around the antiquities smuggling phenomenon such as:
a. The exact places smugglers arrested.
b. The national financial damage based on official estimations of National Museum of Athens and/or Numismatic Museum and/or Byzantine Christian Museum.
c. The types of antiquities seized by authorities.
d. Social profile of the involvement person into antiquities smuggling cases.
e. Other types of illegal objects confiscated by authorities.
f. Antiquities smuggling phenomenon’s connection with common crime and organized crime.
g. Social Profile of the involved person in organized crime cases.
h. Fake antiquities etc.
This assiduous research will present raw data in its effort to prove the objectivity of the results.
Main subject category:
Archaeology
Keywords:
antiquities smuggling, looting, organized crime, cultural heritage, protection of cultural heritage, antiquities trade
