Trafficking Culture
Trafficking Culture is a research consortium that produces evidence-based research into the contemporary global trade in looted cultural objects.
Our researchers, based at Maastricht University, Oxford University, University of Victoria at Wellington, and University of Glasgow, combine criminological and archaeological expertise. Our work is geographically diverse and interdisciplinary.
By conducting innovative quantitative and qualitative research we have established a body of reliable evidence that supports the formulation of effective cultural heritage protection policy. We are committed to raising awareness about these issues through social media, on-line education, and professional training.
NEW BOOK Available now (20% discount available for a limited time): Trafficking Culture: New Directions in Researching the Global Market in Illicit Antiquities
Recent News
Online conference “The Power of Things”, 6 May
15 Apr 2021
The European Research Council-funded “Trafficking Transformations” project is hosting...
Yates speaking at webinar “Criminal networks trafficking antiquities: can we disrupt the market ?”, 27 April
07 Apr 2021
Dr Donna Yates will be one of the key speakers at an introductory webinar “Criminal networks...
“Stumbling Towards Repatriation”: Article by Emiline Smith on Hyperallergic
15 Mar 2021
Stumbling Towards Repatriation: We need to make it clear to our museums that we do not want to walk...
Site Updates
Regulating the “Grey” Antiquities Market: What Works, What does not and a Way Forward
Market actors refer to a legitimate antiquities market and a separate illegitimate market,...
Researching the Structure of the Illicit Antiquities Trade
About the book Covering key aspects of provenance research for the international art market, this...
Antiquities Trafficking and the Provenance Problem
Antiquities are rare, restricted, and in demand. Because the ownership of antiquities is equated...