Cultural heritage in danger

Museum acquisitions under fire

The best museums use due diligence and good faith to:

• discover whether an item is missing or stolen,
• learn whether an item is legally present in the United States,
• ascertain whether an item was illegally removed from its place of origin,
• ensure that an item was scientifically excavated,
• actively question an item's provenance and make conspicuously available for public inspection its complete and accurate provenance, and
• produce and publish records of each step taken throughout the acquisition  process.

SAFE created SAFE Tours to inform the public about the illicit antiquities trade and to show how deficient museum acquisition practices diminish our knowledge of history and imperil our shared cultural heritage. In the wake of the current criminal investigation and resulting prosecutions, SAFE encourages members of the public and attorneys general in the United States--who serve as caretakers of non-profit institutions, which include museums--to ask museums to discuss their acquisition policies and procedures.

Making sure that an item is legal and that it retains its scientific and historical value helps furthers the museum's educational mission while preserving public trust. Find out today from your museum if it is following ethical standards.