NCJ Number
65976
Date Published
1973
Length
8 pages
Annotation
BASED ON QUESTIONNARES COMPLETED BY 26 COUNTRIES, THE REPORT DISCUSSES THEFTS OF ART OBJECTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURES, DISCOVERY OF STOLEN OBJECTS, AND ILLICIT INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN THESE ITEMS.
Abstract
CONTRIBUTORS TO THE INTERPOL REPORT CONSISTED OF 13 EUROPEAN NATIONS, THE UNITED STATES, 2 AFRICAN COUNTRIES, 5 SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES, AND 5 ASIAN COUNTRIES. SEVERAL NATIONS REPORTED AN INCREASE IN THEFTS OF CULTURAL OBJECTS SINCE 1968. IN EUROPE, MOST OBJECTS WERE STOLEN FROM PUBLIC PLACES WITH INADEQUATE SECURITY SYSTEMS, NOTABLY CHURCHES. COUNTRIES IN SOUTH AMERICA, ASIA, AND AFRICA REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH ILLEGAL DIGS AND THEFTS FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS. VERY VALUABLE OBJECTS ARE USUALLY RECOVERED BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO DISPOSE OF THEM, BUT MOST ITEMS OF MINOR IMPORTANCE ARE NEVER LOCATED. THE CHANCES OF RECOVERY ARE IMPROVED WHEN LOSERS CAN PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION DETAILS. WHEN STOLEN ARTWORKDS ARE FOUND, PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS ANTIQUE DEALERS ARE FREQUENTLY INVOLVED. LITTLE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC IN STOLEN ART, BUT ITEMS ARE PROBABLY EXPORTED ILLEGALLY, PARTICULARLY TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. LARGE TOWNS, PORTS, AND AIRPORTS, WHICH ARE CENTERS FOR TRAFFIC IN STOLEN ART, ARE LISTED. (MJM)