Who? What?
The illicit trafficking in cultural property is a threat to cultural heritage – and yet it has not been studied.
Cylinder seal with depiction of a ziggurat (13th century BCE) by UnknownPergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
We have no robust figures on the extent of the trade, the supply of objects, the players, networks, and channels of communication.
Nor do we know what methods we should use to obtain this information.
ILLICID covers research into the hidden or “dark” areas of the illicit trafficking in cultural property. The aim is to determine which research methods are at all feasible and effective in this specific area of trade.
Legal Document with Cover (1813 BCE - 1793 BCE) by UnknownPergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
ILLICID is the only project in the world so far with an interdisciplinary approach to creating a scientific basis for tackling illicit trafficking in cultural property. It involves sociologists, IT specialists, and experts on antiquities working in close co-operation with state investigators and international organizations.
By the end of the project, we should have a better idea of how the trafficking in archaeological cultural property from the Eastern Mediterranean region is set up in Germany. We will also have a much better understanding of what legislators, authorities, and institutions need to do in order to suppress illicit trafficking in cultural property effectively.
Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert in an interview (2016/2016)Pergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
In 2016, a new cultural property protection law was passed in Germany. This is to make the cross-border trafficking in arts and cultural property be regulated more strictly. It aims to prevent the import of stolen works of art as well as the export of national cultural property from Germany. In the future, archaeological works of art from abroad can only be traded with a certificate from the country of origin. Until now, works of art could not be introduced unless they were on a corresponding list of the country of origin.
Six questions to Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert, Director of the Museum of the Ancient Near East until 2018 and head of the research project ILLICID.
Illicit trafficking in cultural property – how does it work?
ILLICID | Questions to Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert | Part1Pergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
When is an object considered illegal?
ILLICID | Questions to Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert | Part2Pergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
What kind of objects are in the market?
ILLICID | Questions to Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert | Part3Pergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
What is the approach of the researchers?
ILLICID | Questions to Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert | Part4Pergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
How can the objects be identified?
ILLICID | Questions to Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert | Part5Pergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
How is cultural heritage protection dealt with in the museum?
ILLICID | Questions to Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert | Part6Pergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Orthostates with the Representation of a Bull Hunt (883-859 BC; Neo-Assyrian; Ashurnasirpal II.) by UnknownPergamonmuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
According to several international organisations, the illicit trafficking in cultural property is a substantial source of revenue for organized crime. Germany is currently both an important market and transit state for those involved. On the basis of reliable trade-related figures ILLICID can develop effective crime-fighting strategies.
ILLICID is a joint collaboration between the Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz together with the Fraunhofer-Institut für Sichere Informationstechnologie and the GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Text: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz
Concept / Editing / Video: Astrid Alexander
© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz
www.smb.museum
Pergamonmuseum
