Why should we care?

The looting crisis

Illicit antiquities trade

Museum acquisitions

Plunder is a crime

What can we do?

Treaties & legislation

Bilateral agreements

Success stories

In this section we will explore possible solutions. Over the decades—even centuries—various attempts have been made to stem the gradual depletion of our shared cultural heritage. These efforts range from legislation and treaties on global and national levels, to engaging local communities in archaeological excavations.

Report suspicious items. In the U.S., if you encounter objects you suspect to have been stolen or illegally imported according to bilateral agreements with other countriess, contact the FBI's Art Crime Team, the country's first national art-crime team.

Ask questions. 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. Read...

If you collect antiquities, make sure the items you purchase have proper documentation, provenance and export permits if required. It is important to acquire good title to a piece, not mere possession. When in doubt, consult an attorney.

Speak up. The U.S. government considers public opinion during open sessions when deciding on whether to enter into bilateral agreements with other countries to restrict importation of antiquities into the U.S. We urge anyone with information or comments relevant to one or more of the four determinations to voice their concern to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) during these hearings.

SAFE would also like to explore options that may be considered purely theoretical, or even "utopic". We invite visitors to our website to use SAFE as an open forum to discuss these ideas. We believe that discussions such as these are the beginnings to real solutions. Not only that, safeguarding cultural heritage for our future generations is a shared responsibility. So, regardless of whether you are an academic, archaeologist, or simply someone who is concerned, please write to us, let us know what you think.