News & Issues in Cultural Heritage

Deal to Curb Looting in China Worries Museums. — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-18-2009 02:32 PM

SHORTLY before President George W. Bush left office, his administration signed an agreement with China that imposed import restrictions on a sweeping range of Chinese art and antiquities in an effort to quash the growing illicit trade in looted artifacts, a volatile issue that has polarized the international art, museum and archaeological worlds and led to several high-profile restitution cases.

76,000 Korean Cultural Treasures Still Abroad — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-19-2009 07:24 AM

The retrieval of the seal of Emperor Gojong of the Chosun Dynasty, some 100 years after it disappeared, has rekindled interest in how Korean cultural properties were smuggled out of the country and how to retrieve them.

Dealers, Museum Officials Question U.S.-China Antiquities Agreement — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-19-2009 01:59 PM

An agreement between the United States and China meant to curb the trade in looted Chinese artifacts is drawing criticism from art dealers and museum professionals who fear that it will prove ineffective, as well as stifle legitimate trade and scholarship, the New York Times reports.

ICE finds stolen Italian bust in Charlotte — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-20-2009 07:23 AM

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigators are sending back a 17th-century wooden bust of Saint Innocent stolen from an Italian church 19 years ago and recovered last year from a Charlotte collector, ICE officials said today

Two articles regarding Odyssey: Battle for €3m sunken treasure off West Coast and ODYSSEY SAYS IT IS STILL WORKING WITH UK — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-20-2009 10:57 AM

RACE FOR SILVER: Legal fight after haul found 160 miles off Kerry and The underwater treasure hunting company Odyssey marine Exploration has responded to the report in the Independent yesterday denying that it is "locked in battle" with the UK over ownership of the wreck of a cruise liner with its valuable cargo of bullion, torpedoed in the First World War by a German U-boat in the Atlantic.

Ancient bones found at UCSD back in dispute — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-20-2009 11:56 AM

Background: San Diego County's Kumeyaay tribes had asked UCSD to turn over skeletal remains unearthed near the chancellor's home in La Jolla. Local American Indians say the remains are part of their ancestry. But UC researchers say there's not enough evidence to link the nearly 10,000-year-old bones to Kumeyaay culture.

Getty Ex-Curator Testifies in Rome Antiquities Trial — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-21-2009 11:51 AM

ROME — In a court appearance on Friday, Marion True, the former curator of antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, defended herself against accusations that she knowingly bought antiquities that had been illegally excavated.

Egypt seeking return of ancient coffin from US — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-22-2009 09:51 PM

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt is in talks with U.S. authorities to repatriate a 3,000-year-old pharaonic-era wood coffin that was intercepted by U.S. customs officials, Egypt's Supreme Council for Antiquities said on Sunday.

Greek court gives UK dealer three years in prison — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-23-2009 09:06 PM

THE Greek courts have sentenced an English antiquities dealer to three years in jail after convicting him in his absence on charges linked to stolen artefacts.

Greece returns looted frescoes — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-24-2009 07:02 AM

ANSA) - Athens, March 23 - Greece on Monday returned to Italy two medieval frescoes looted from a tomb near Naples in 1982.

Ratification by the United States of America of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (The Hague, 14 May 1954) — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-24-2009 04:19 PM

On 13 March 2009, the United States of America deposited with the Director-General their instrument of ratification of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

Britons accused of treasure hunting escape jail in Spain — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-24-2009 06:36 PM

British divers accused of plundering treasure from a shipwreck off Spain brought an end to their seven-year ordeal by striking a plea bargain with Spanish prosecutors

Sunken treasure stirs international booty battle — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-24-2009 06:40 PM

March 24: The courts are still deciding who owns a sunken treasure worth an estimated $500 million. TODAY’s Ann Curry talks to Greg Stemm, CEO of Odyssey Marine Exploration, about finding the treasure

Fate of Titanic, its treasures in US judge's hands — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-24-2009 06:44 PM

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Nearly a century after the Titanic struck ice in the North Atlantic, a federal judge in Virginia is poised to preserve the largest collection of artifacts from the opulent oceanliner and protect the ship's resting place.

Yale Sues to Retain Ownership of Van Gogh Painting — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-25-2009 07:10 AM

Yale University is suing to hang onto one of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous works. The Ivy League university sued Tuesday in federal court in Connecticut to assert its ownership rights over ''The Night Cafe.'' It also seeks to block a descendant of the original owner from claiming it.

New York Court Orders Return of $600,000 Book Stolen in WWII — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-25-2009 07:26 AM

A New York court ordered a book collector to return a 16th-century volume valued at $600,000 to a museum in Stuttgart, more than six decades after it was stolen by a U.S. army captain at the end of World War II.

Drugs, Guns and Dirt — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-26-2009 07:26 AM

Methamphetamine fuels a new epidemic of looting

California man cries foul as officials seek rights to what may be a S.E. Texas shipwreck — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-26-2009 07:30 AM

The state of Texas wants to dig the buried treasure from under a California musician who thinks he found a muck-covered, gold-laden 19th century vessel on Google Earth.

Egypt Archeologist Has a Vigilant Eye for Stolen Antiquities — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-28-2009 09:44 AM

Egyptian archeologist, Dr. Hawass, visits the 'King Tut' exhibition in Atlanta.s the 'King Tut' Video Links: Egyptian archeologist, Zahi Hawass, visits Atlanta. Egypt’s most senior Egyptologist visited the “King Tut” exhibit at the Atlanta Civic Center March 26, bursting with pride in both his country’s ancient past and his profession, while continuing to pick a fight with the St. Louis Art Museum for failing to return what he considers a stolen antiquity.

Art looted by Nazis to be returned to owners — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-29-2009 11:05 AM

Art works looted by the Nazis could be returned to Holocaust survivors and their descendants under plans by ministers.

‘Foreign Devils on the Silk Road’ — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-29-2009 11:20 AM

 

Hungary's archaeologists object to public access to listed sites - paper — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-30-2009 12:31 PM

Budapest, March 28 (MTI) - Hungary's association of archaeologists has raised concern about a new government decision under which public access will be granted to listed sites, Nepszabadsag daily said on Saturday.

'Jesus ossuary trial' stalled after more than three years — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 03-31-2009 08:50 PM

One of Israel's best-known antiquities dealers said this week he was the innocent victim of a "witch-hunt" initiated by the Antiquities Authority aimed at destroying his career and reputation.

Turkish man detained for "smuggling antiquities" out of Egypt — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-01-2009 07:57 AM

Cairo - Security officials at Cairo's airport on Tuesday detained a Turkish man they said was trying smuggle antiquities out of Egypt, airport authorities said.

Stolen books returned to library — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-02-2009 09:22 AM

Two men convicted in federal court for theft of an artwork

Ex-Seaport Museum chief loses appeal bid — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-02-2009 09:25 AM

The former head of the Independence Seaport Museum yesterday lost his bid to overturn his 15-year sentence.

Vienna gives up art expropriated in Nazi Germany — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-02-2009 12:59 PM

The city of Vienna has set a precedent for the restitution of artworks expropriated under the Nazi regime by this week giving up a piece that a German Jewish banker was forced to auction in 1934.

Art collectors more interested in pieces’ history, experts say — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-02-2009 01:02 PM

Widespread looting in the art world has led collectors and buyers to more thoroughly investigate the history of their pieces, art experts said Wednesday night.

Hunting down looted booty should focus on buyers — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-05-2009 10:56 AM

SINCE the 1974 Turkish invasion over 60,000 antique artifacts have been looted and smuggled out of northern Cyprus, says the government. But one man believes those stolen relics of our island’s heritage may not be as far away as those quoting such high, and some-would-say arbitrary, figures think.

HOW LONG MUST NIGERIA WAIT FOR THE RETURN OF SOME OF THE LOOTED BENIN ARTEFACTS? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-06-2009 06:54 AM

In an interview reproduced below from the PUNCH, the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Dr. Joe. Eboreima gives his views of the question of the restitution of stolen/looted Nigerian artefacts, especially, the Benin Bronzes which the British looted in their infamous invasion of Benin in 1897. The National Commission is the supreme authority on matters relating to monuments and museums in Nigeria and therefore an important body on the question of the restitution of Nigerian artefacts, thousands of which are lying, unused and neglected in European and American museums which have no space for their excessive number of objects..

Former Peruvian first lady to debate artifact case — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-29-2009 02:24 PM

Eliane Karp-Toledo, the former Peruvian first lady whose dogged attacks on Yale helped start a legal battle between the University and Peru, will speak at the Yale Political Union this evening.

Graverobbers feared as lake reveals Iraqi history — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-06-2009 02:00 PM

HADITHA LAKE, Iraq (Reuters) - Drought and dams have vastly shrunk a lake in Iraq's western Anbar province, revealing ancient dwellings and burial sites that archaeologists fear will now be targeted by thieves.

Getty to Return Ancient Fresco to Italy — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-07-2009 02:54 PM

LOS ANGELES—The J. Paul Getty Museum has announced that it will return to Italy a fragment of a fresco from the 1st century B.C. that has been in its collection since 1996

Hundreds of Afghan antiquities repatriated from Britain — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-08-2009 07:18 AM

Precious items are the plunder of looters who had hoped to sell them to private collectors

Italy wrestles with historic preservation — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-09-2009 08:12 AM

The earthquake in L'Aquila exposes a problem for Italy: Some of the same ancient buildings that draw millions of tourists to Italy every year are at risk of collapsing the next time a major earthquake hits.

Smugglers rush to plunder Ramhormoz ancient sites — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-09-2009 08:16 AM

Adding insult to injury, illegal excavations by smugglers have become another of the many factors posing threats to the ancient sites of Ramhormoz in Iran’s southern province of Khuzestan.

Other states may help Italy rebuild cultural sites — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-09-2009 08:19 AM

Other countries may help Italy rebuild cultural sites destroyed in the earthquake that hit the country this week, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday.

Italian caught smuggling ancient manuscripts out of the country — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-09-2009 01:54 PM

SANA'A, April 8 — Looking through x-ray images of passengers' hand luggage at the Sana'a International Airport, something didn't feel right to the security official who was on duty last Thursday.

Book Arouses Return of Looted Relics — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-10-2009 10:18 AM

In February, two looted Chinese relics were sold at the French house of auction giant Christie's for 14 million euros ($17.92 million). But China had tried to dissuade Christie's from auctioning the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) bronze rabbit and rat head sculptures, because they were looted from Yuanmingyuan, the Old Summer Palace, by Anglo-French allied forces during the Second Opium War in 1860.

Forging Ahead, Or how I learned to stop worrying and love eBay — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-10-2009 10:29 AM

little over a decade ago, archaeologists experienced a collective nightmare--the emergence of eBay, the Internet auction site that, among other things, lets people sell looted artifacts. The black market for antiquities has existed for centuries, of course, with devastating consequences for the world's cultural heritage. But we could at least take some comfort that it was largely confined to either high-end dealers on one end of the economic spectrum or rural flea markets on the other. The sheer physical constraints of transporting and selling illegal artifacts kept the market relatively small. But the rise of online auction sites promised to drastically alter the landscape. And so it did, just not in the dire way we had anticipated.

A QUESTION OF MORALITY — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-10-2009 10:48 AM

For years, it has been widely accepted that artworks looted by the Nazis should be returned to their rightful owners. But now a prominent British expert has called for a stop to restitution -- and triggered protests in the art world.

Treasures looted and sold online — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-10-2009 10:55 AM

ABORIGINAL sites and artefacts are being destroyed and disturbed at record rates in NSW and important objects are increasingly appearing for sale on auction websites, to the dismay of Aboriginal elders.

Germany Rejects Call for End to Restitution of Nazi-Looted Art — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-10-2009 11:03 AM

April 9 (Bloomberg) -- Germany stands by its commitment to return art looted by the Nazis, rejecting calls for an end to the restitution of works to Holocaust victims and their heirs, said Bernd Neumann, the culture minister.

Gardaí find Bronze Age jewellery in haul of stolen items — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-10-2009 11:26 AM

GARDAÍ GOT much more than they expected when they recovered goods stolen in a burglary in Strokestown, Co Roscommon.

Art Returned To Heirs Of Holocaust Victims — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-11-2009 11:04 AM

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Two Renaissance paintings that have been on display for decades at Hearst Castle will be returned Friday to the heirs of Jewish art dealers who fled Nazi Germany and later died in concentration camps.

Stolen Nazi art: Boynton Beach man, family getting paintings back — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-11-2009 11:06 AM

Boynton man satisfied valued paintings are coming back to family

Stolen artefacts to be returned — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-13-2009 08:55 AM

SEVEN Angkorian artefacts smuggled into Thailand almost a decade ago will be returned to Cambodia, a Ministry of Culture official said Sunday, adding that negotiations are under way with Bangkok for the repatriation of dozens of other pieces.

Legislation to save nation’s heritage — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-13-2009 04:07 PM

HCM CITY — The nation’s cultural heritage needs strong legal backing to ensure their preservation and protection, a senior Government official said.

Dead Sea Scrolls stir storm at ROM — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-13-2009 06:34 PM

A scrap of non-biblical Hebrew text from the first century CE, originally discovered in 1956. Palestinian PM wants Harper to scrap show, claims violation of international law

Montana: Paleontologist Pleads Guilty in Fossil Theft — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-29-2009 02:24 PM

A paleontologist who discovered the world’s best preserved dinosaur has pleaded guilty to stealing fossils from federal land.

Holocaust loot denied — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-15-2009 08:44 AM

The official line is that there are no stolen treasures originating from holocaust victims but some academics deny this claim

Ancient columns found at Greek junkyard; 2 arrests — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-15-2009 10:11 AM

THESSSALONIKI, Greece (AP) - Police in northern Greece say they have seized six sections of ancient marble columns from a junkyard and arrested the owners for antiquity smuggling.

Indonesian minister of culture’s public apology for destruction of archaeological site — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-15-2009 11:56 AM

The Indonesian minister of culture issues a public apology for the destruction caused by the government-backed project

Retired pastor admits to taking archaeological items illegally — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-15-2009 01:45 PM

A retired pastor has admitted dealing in archaeological resources illegally taken from South Dakota public or Indian lands. The Rev. John M. Sheild, 78, of Monona, Wis. is expected to plead guilty April 20 in Pierre to a charge of trafficking in archaeological resources.

Grosz Heirs File Suit Against MoMA for Artworks Unlawfully Taken During Nazi Era — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-15-2009 01:51 PM

The heirs of George Grosz, a famous Weimar period artist and relentless critic of the Nazis and German military establishment, filed suit in New York on Friday, April 10, 2009 against the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) for refusing to return three artworks created by Grosz and left behind by him when he fled Germany in 1933 to avoid Nazi threats against his life.

U.S. Getty museum gets first art under Italy deal — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-16-2009 08:24 AM

MALIBU, California (Reuters) - California's Getty Museum, one of the world's richest art institutions, has received the first two artworks from Italy under a deal that settled a 2006 dispute over looted antiquities.

Ratification by Belgium of the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (Paris, 14 November 1970) — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-16-2009 09:31 AM

On 31 March 2009, Belgium deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

Nazi-Looted Art From Goudstikker Trove Shines at Jewish Museum — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-16-2009 10:05 AM

Days after the Nazis invaded Holland, the prominent Dutch-Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker escaped on a cargo boat with his wife and 1-year-old son.

German brings rare pots to museum — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-16-2009 10:10 AM

A German art historian researching Bengal’s terracotta traditions has traced two Sunga-era (185-73 BC) artefacts to the illicit art market and restored them to “where they belong” — a museum.

Austrian town to return Klimt stolen by Nazis — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-20-2009 03:47 PM

VIENNA (AFP) — The Austrian town of Linz is to restore a painting by Gustav Klimt to the descendants of a Jewish family who were robbed of it by the Nazis, Mayor Franz Dobusch said Monday.

U.S. Seizes Old Master Lost in Nazi-Era Forced Sale (Update1) — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-21-2009 07:30 AM

April 21 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. law enforcers seized a Dutch Old Master portrait from a New York gallery and will return it today to the heirs of a Jewish art dealer who was forced to sell it before fleeing Nazi Germany in 1937.

ICE returns painting stolen during Holocaust — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-21-2009 01:19 PM

A 17th century painting is back in the hands of its rightful owner 72 years after it was stolen by the Nazis. Today, at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, returned the painting to the Estate of Dr. Max Stern. "Portrait of a Musician Playing a Bagpipe" belonged to the late Jewish art dealer Max Stern in Germany during the 1930's.

Cleveland Museum of Art will return tainted antiquities to Italy Wednesday — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-21-2009 07:52 PM

The Cleveland Museum of Art on Wednesday will hand over to Italian authorities 14 artworks allegedly tainted by illegal activity in Europe.

WHOSE “UNIVERSAL MUSEUM”? COMMENTS ON JAMES CUNO'S WHOSE CULTURE? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-21-2009 07:56 PM

“The restitution of those cultural objects which our museums and collections, directly or indirectly, possess thanks to the colonial system and are now being demanded, must also not be postponed with cheap arguments and tricks.”

Forging Ahead — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-21-2009 08:04 PM

The auction site eBay is packed with objects purported to be ancient, like this "XTREME!" Moche-style ceramic vessel.

EBay and the Illegal Looting of Antiquities — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-29-2009 02:24 PM

Archaeologists worry a lot about looting. Artifacts stolen from historical sites fetch high prices on the black market, which gives looters strong incentives to steal these items.

Who Should Own the World's Antiquities? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-24-2009 10:26 AM

Last June, the directors of the leading art museums of the United States agreed to limit their acquisitions of antiquities to works that have left their "country of probable modern discovery" before 1970, or that were exported legally after that date. On the face of it, the decision, issued by the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), did no more than update guidelines for ancient art—one of a number of such policy refinements by the association in recent years. In fact, however, it announced a tectonic shift in museum thinking about collecting art and artifacts of the distant past, a change that was unimaginable even five years ago.

Iraq Troops Bust Smuggling Ring, Recover 235 Looted Artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-24-2009 10:28 AM

April 24 (Bloomberg) -- Iraqi commandos smashed a smuggling ring, recovering 235 looted Babylonian and Sumerian artifacts that they turned over to the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry.

Historic canoe likely to stay in the province — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-24-2009 10:32 AM

FREDERICTON - It appears likely the historic Maliseet birchbark canoe that has been in Irish hands for most of its existence will stay in New Brunswick.

5 more sites from Turkey on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-24-2009 11:29 AM

 

UK parliament closer to passing bill allowing museums to deaccession Nazi-looted art — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-24-2009 11:34 AM

LONDON. A Private Members’ Bill is to be presented for its second reading in parliament on 15 May, to allow UK national museums to deaccession art works spoliated during the Nazi period.

Monetizing antiquities (without selling them) — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-28-2009 08:37 AM

The Milken discussion this afternoon on leveraging developing countries’ antiquities resources didn’t quite live up to the promise of its title (”Preserving the Past to Build the Future: Antiquities as an Economic Development Resource for Emerging Nations”) but was very interesting all the same.

AR Archaeologist Tongue — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-28-2009 11:36 AM

JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) -- - Artifacts of prehistoric people who lived in Arkansas are being excavated by professionals who are trying to piece together more of the story of those who once lived here. Those artifacts are also being dug up by criminals.

Is Unesco damaging the world's treasures? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-29-2009 08:17 AM

It's supposed to be the gold standard for conservation. But is Unesco's World Heritage project harming the very places it seeks to protect? Simon Usborne investigates

Book page thief sentence halved — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 04-29-2009 10:48 AM

An Iranian scholar who stole pages from priceless books at Oxford's Bodleian library and the British Library has had his sentence halved.

Relic Hunters Seek History, Find Trouble — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-01-2009 08:38 AM

Relic hunters are defined as those who search for something that is cherished for its age or historic interest. Therefore it’s no surprise that Quantico, a place full of history, has seen its fair share of treasure seekers.

Egypt Retrieves 454 Ancient Artifacts From Eton’s Myers Museum — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-01-2009 12:32 PM

April 30 (Bloomberg) -- Egyptian authorities have recovered 454 ancient Egyptian artifacts, including pharaonic pottery and bronze coins, from the U.K.’s Myers Museum. They had been removed from the country more than 30 years ago.

Geneva row over African cultural heritage — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-02-2009 10:54 AM

A group of specialists has pointed an accusing finger at a new exhibition of ancient African ceramics held at the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva. But those responsible for the exhibition reject the criticism.

Israeli police bust Palestinian artifact thieves — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-06-2009 08:53 AM

Palestinians charged with looting, trying to sell ancient papyrus document from date from 2nd century A.D. said to be worth

New York Dealer Restitutes Painting Sold in Nazi Germany — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-06-2009 12:26 PM

NEW YORK—Art dealer Richard Feigen yesterday returned a painting attributed to Lodovico Carracci to the estate of the late Jewish art dealer Max Stern, who was forced to sell the contents of his gallery in 1937 before fleeing Nazi Germany.

Nazi-era stolen art located in Dresden collection — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-07-2009 07:36 AM

ST PETERSBURG.The Dresden State Art Collection (SKD) has determined that a painting in its collection by 19th-century artist Christian Vogel von Vogelstein had been forcefully taken by the Nazis from its Jewish owners in 1938.

National Museum Declares “Important Cultural Property” in Maitum — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-08-2009 10:01 AM

MAITUM, Sarangani (May 7, 2009) – The National Museum of the Philippines declared here on Tuesday (May 5) the “Pinol Cave formation” area as “important cultural property”.

Austria returns looted art to Czech monastery — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-08-2009 10:04 AM

VIENNA (AP) - Austria said Thursday it was returning looted art worth nearly ¤500,000 euros to the Czech Republic.

Tales of the unexpected and eBay's effect on antiquity — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-29-2009 02:24 PM

In 1936, a Harvard sociologist called Robert K Merton published an article that has haunted politicians and corporate strategists ever since. It was entitled "The Unanticipated Consequences of Purposive Social Action" and set out what has become known as the Law of Unintended Consequences (of which Murphy's Law is a special case).

Metal detector user David Hutchings jailed for selling fake coins — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-11-2009 02:51 PM

A metal detector enthusiast who claimed to have discovered hoards of valuable antiquities during years of treasure hunting has been convicted of selling modern fakes.

In Britain, Guys With Metal Detectors Find Respect Along With History — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-11-2009 03:29 PM

Derek Eveleigh walked carefully, searching for buried treasure. "It's such a thrill when I find something -- and I often do," Eveleigh said as he listened to the steady beeps of his metal detector. Not far away from this Welsh seaside town, he recently found 6,000 copper coins dating to the Roman Empire

A series of articles on Nate Murphy from the Billings Gazette, May 3 -6, 2009o — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-11-2009 04:54 PM

This is the first of a four-part series examining the troubled history of Nate Murphy, who is awaiting sentencing on state and federal charges of theft stemming from his activities as an amateur paleontologist.

Coin Collectors to Challenge State Department on Import Restrictions — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-11-2009 07:55 PM

The ACCG has launched phase two of a coordinated plan to challenge import restrictions on ancient coins.

Comparing disputes about looted artefacts with child custody cases — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-12-2009 01:44 PM

I find the proposal to apply principles developed in child custody cases to disputes regarding the ownership of looted artefacts, very interesting but also problematic and, in the end, not feasible. (1)  To compare cultural artefacts with children under any circumstances is itself very disputable. Artworks cannot be compared to children and hence from the very nature of the subjects concerned, the comparison falters. A good judge would try to ascertain the wishes of a child at the centre of marital dispute but we surely cannot ask an art object where it would like to be, Berlin or Benin? 

The Rape of Mesopotamia — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-12-2009 01:48 PM

Call it "Charlie Foxtrot," the euphemistic military obscenity for a screwup. It's the first line in "Standard Operating Procedure," Errol Morris' documentary about Abu Ghraib prison.

Iran's treasures aren't safe — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-14-2009 07:26 AM

US terrorism victims are trying to seize Iranian valuables, threatening cultural exchanges between the two countries

Frescoes among recovered treasures — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-19-2009 12:45 PM

Two medieval frescoes looted from a tomb near Naples in 1982 and recently returned by Greece were among recovered treasures presented by Italy's art cops Tuesday.

Greece recovers stolen antiquities from Germany , Belgium, Britain — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-29-2009 02:25 PM

Athens - Germany, Belgium and Breitain have returned hundreds of priceless artifacts to Greece, the oldest a 5th century coin, Greek Culture Ministry officials said Tuesday. Among the items retuned from Germany included 96 copper and ceramic pots and vessels, dating from the 3rd or 4th century BC from Thessaly, in northern Greece.

Swiss Gallery Surrenders EU2 Million in Antiquities to Italy — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-19-2009 04:11 PM

A Swiss art gallery has surrendered 251 ancient artifacts worth 2 million euros ($2.7 million), most of them illegally excavated in Italy, according to the Italian paramilitary police.

2 Disputed Indian Wampum Belts Pulled From Auction — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-20-2009 10:44 AM

Sotheby’s has removed two ceremonial Indian wampum belts from an auction scheduled for Wednesday following complaints by the Onondaga nation that the belts were part of their cultural heritage and should be returned.

Gregg Stemm: is taking treasure from shipwrecks piracy? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-21-2009 09:03 AM

He has made millions liberating treasure from shipwrecks, and is accused of bounty hunting. But Gregg Stemm says he is preserving history

Trawlers are destroying historic wrecks, say explorers — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-21-2009 09:12 AM

The wreck of HMS Victory, a British warship sunk in the English Channel in 1744, is being destroyed by fishing trawlers, according to the American treasure hunters who discovered the site last year.

LET OTHERS LOOT FOR YOU: LOOTING OF AFRICAN ARTEFACTS FOR WESTERN MUSEUMS — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-22-2009 07:11 PM

“The looting of archaeological items and the destruction of archaeological sites in Africa are a cause of irreparable damage to African history and hence to the history of humankind.

Remains are lost in race for relics — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-26-2009 03:58 PM

Brisk trade in WWII planes thwarts efforts to recover missing fliers

Smugglers loot Libya’s ruins — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-28-2009 07:22 AM

Dozens of statues from an archaeological site in the Cyrenaica region are stored inside a warehouse, locked away to keep looters from making off with them. Iason Athanasiadis for The National

ICE recovers Egyptian artifacts stolen from a museum in the Netherlands — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-28-2009 08:54 AM

NEW YORK - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recovered seven artifacts of Egyptian origin that were found at a Manhattan auction house. The cultural heritage items were stolen from the Bijbels Museum in Amsterdam on July 29, 2007 in the middle of the afternoon. Dutch police contacted ICE to assist in the recovery of the artifacts on their behalf.

'Ancient' artifacts, cyber scams — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-29-2009 03:31 PM

Charles Stanish of UCLA's Cotsen Institute of Archaeology covers his mouth in laughter as he spots an obviously fake artifact online.

Massachusetts Judge Rules In Favor of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Regarding Kokoschka Work — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-30-2009 11:01 AM

BOSTON, MA.-United States District Judge Rya Zobel (District of Massachusetts) ruled that the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is entitled to retain ownership of Oskar Kokoschka’s painting Two Nudes (Lovers) (painted about 1913).

Crime and Picasso: The Shadowy Underworld of Art — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-30-2009 11:05 AM

True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft." There didn't seem anything particularly unusual about the sale of William Kingsland's art collection, at least at first. A well-known New York art connoisseur, Kingsland died in 2006, and the auction house Christie's was hired inthe months after his death to sell many of his paintings and sculptures. But it turned out that Kingsland was not his given name

Russian aristocrat's heir reclaims Van Gogh painting 'looted' by Lenin — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

Russian aristocrat's heir reclaims Van Gogh painting 'looted' by Lenin

Smugglers loot Libya's ruins - via Egypt — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-30-2009 11:12 AM

When Libya opened to the West in 2003, it was widely hailed as a crucial first step by a “terrorist” regime coming in from the cold. But along with the legitimate companies vying to capture Libya’s lucrative markets, international antiquities-smuggling gangs were waiting for their chance to pilfer the country’s Roman ruins, which are some of the most pristine in the world.

Smuggled tiles to be returned to Iran — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 05-31-2009 11:52 AM

Dozens of historic decorative tiles which had been smuggled out of Iran have been handed over to the Iranian embassy in London.

Gestapo-Looted Pissarro Seized in Swiss Safe Goes on Auction — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-02-2009 01:55 PM

June 2 (Bloomberg) -- Gisela Bermann-Fischer waited almost 70 years to get back a painting by Camille Pissarro stolen from her family’s home in Vienna by the Gestapo in 1938.

Stolen Italian artifact smuggled into the United States found at auction house — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-02-2009 08:59 PM

NEW YORK - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today recovered today a Corinthian column krater from Christie's auction house. The item had been noted on the Italian Carabinierri website, which lists stolen art work. The recovery was the result of an ICE-led investigation.

Cultural Artifacts Returned to Anguilla — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-03-2009 07:57 AM

The FBI today returned more than 100 bronze medallions to the Government of Anguilla in a ceremony during the island’s 42nd national holiday, or Anguilla Day, celebrations. The medallions were presented to The Honorable Mr. Osbourne Fleming, Chief Minister, by Samuel Bryant, Jr., the FBI Legal Attaché in Bridgetown

Ukraine suffered “colossal” looting during World War II — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-04-2009 07:54 AM

Research challenges Russians’ claim that they own many cultural valuables from the independent state

Tampa court says Odyssey should return treasure to Spain — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-04-2009 08:04 AM

Tampa court says Odyssey should return treasure to Spain. The salvage company says it will appeal the decision taken by the Florida court after more than two years consideration

Yale Sued Over Van Gogh Work by Man Claiming to Be Russian Heir — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-04-2009 04:33 PM

Yale University, which displays a Van Gogh painting seized after the Bolshevik revolution of 1918, was sued by a man who claims he’s the descendant of the former Russian owner and the artwork rightfully belongs to him.

Sotheby’s wampum belts ‘a drop in the bucket’ of sacred items for sale — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-07-2009 11:03 AM

Shannon Keller O’Loughlin has a unique job. As part of her work as tribal attorney for the Onondaga Nation, she monitors e-Bay and other Web sites of places that might harbor and trade in sacred items that rightfully belong to Indian nations. “It’s amazing the kinds of things they continue to sell, not just from North American Indian cultures, but from all around the world. To Sotheby’s and some of these other big auction houses, they’re just commodities,” said O’Loughlin, Choctaw of Oklahoma.

Covington Helps Spain Sink Salvage Claims in Shipwreck Suit — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-08-2009 07:31 AM

Odyssey Marine Exploration believed it had one of the most lucrative shipwreck discoveries in history on its hands in May 2007 when the Tampa, Fla.-based treasure hunter announced it had recovered 17 tons of gold and silver artifacts from a secret Atlantic Ocean site codenamed the Black Swan. The government of Spain disagreed. Claiming the Odyssey had actually discovered a 19th-century Spanish frigate called the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes that had been sunk by a British warship, Spain sued Odyssey for violating Spanish heritage laws, and later seized the company's Gibraltar-based flagship.

Peru is rightful owner of artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-08-2009 09:06 AM

The appropriation of a foreign nation's archaeological heritage often is associated with the blurry circumstances of war, painful episodes of conquest, or the illicit looting of sites. In the case of the Machu Picchu artifacts appropriated by Yale University, however, there is no controversy concerning their origin, who removed them, or the binding terms under which their removal was temporarily allowed.

Stolen Cultural Artifacts Found in Berwyn Residence Returned to Italian Authorities — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-08-2009 08:37 PM

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today the return of approximately 1,600 stolen artifacts to the Italian government. The repatriated items were among over 3,500 suspected antiquities that were discovered in April of 2007 inside the Berwyn, Illinois residence of John A. Sisto, who was a naturalized U.S. Citizen.

Why is there a storm brewing over the right to plunder shipwrecks? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-08-2009 08:44 PM

Magistrate Mark A Pizzo, sitting in the US Federal Court at Tampa, Florida, might not be a major figure in international law but he has just made a potentially vital decision on the future of 3,000 treasure-laden shipwrecks that lie in the world's oceans. Mr Pizzo ruled that an American marine archaeology company should return gold and silver coins worth £300m to the Spanish government after the bullion was removed from a sunken vessel in the Atlantic. Odyssey Marine Exploration removed the 500,000 coins, weighing 17 tonnes, in 2007 and flew them back to its Florida base from Gibraltar.

Stolen Cypriot icons found and confiscated by Swiss police — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-10-2009 07:18 AM

Two stolen Cypriot icons of Christ and the Virgin Mary, from the chapel of St. Iacovos (14th century) in the Turkish occupied Cypriot village of Trikomo, have been found and confiscated by the Swiss police.

Looting of African artefacts for western museums — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-10-2009 07:22 AM

A FAMOUS American museum director, from a very well-known museum in New York, once wrote that he could not identify an image inserted in one of my articles (a Nok sculpture) because his museum did not have such a piece from that culture. The underlying argument, of course, is that African artefacts achieve recognizable status and importance only when they are in Western museums, whether looted or legally acquired. Most Western museums, however, have not hesitated to acquire a considerable number of African terra cotta.

A fortune stacked in the corner of an office — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-10-2009 12:47 PM

his is a mystery story involving precious artifacts stolen from ancient graves. In order to tell it fully it had to be divided into three chapters. The first part introduced the major characters. Today's chapter involves what was stolen. Wednesday, you'll discover how the case was resolved.

Feds to announce big archaeological bust in Utah — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-10-2009 02:45 PM

An ongoing federal investigation of archaeological-site looting in the West has moved into Utah, where federal authorities are expected to visit later today to announce a slew of criminal charges.

Arrests Made in Operation Targeting Network Selling Stolen Native American Artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-10-2009 04:53 PM

Arrests Made in Operation Targeting Network Selling Stolen Native American Artifacts Two-Year Undercover Operation in Four Corners Region Leads to Nation’s Largest Investigation of Artifacts Taken from Public, Native American Lands

Looted treasures return to Afghanistan — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-11-2009 07:17 AM

In a small room inside Kabul museum, staff are slowly unwrapping hundreds of stolen pieces of Afghanistan's past.

ARRIVEDERCI Recovered Italian Artifacts Headed Home — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-11-2009 04:17 PM

In March 2007, members of the Berwyn, Illinois Police Department entered the home of a recently deceased man at the request of his son. What they found in that small house in a Chicago suburb eventually everberated nearly 5,000 miles away: the late owner of the home—John Sisto—had been haphazardly storing more than 3,500 suspected antiquities from Italy in boxes, in piles on the floor, and on bookshelves.

7 ancient treasures returned to Cambodia — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Thailand returned seven treasures from Cambodia's Golden Age to its neighbor Friday as the countries pledged to prevent further smuggling of antiquities.

Many artifacts remain in alleged looters' custody — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-12-2009 04:31 PM

Many Indian artifacts involved in a major federal sting remain with the very people suspected of looting them from public land or buying them from looters, although federal authorities hope to eventually hand these treasures over to tribes for repatriation or to museums.

Stolen Antiquities Face Difficult Journey Home — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

Albanian archeologists struggle to recover valuable artifacts amid a shady world of antique dealers and auction houses.

Residents decry artifact-theft indictments — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

BLANDING — The remnants of a people who lived in the cliffs surrounding this small southeastern Utah town are not hard to find here. Stumbling across pieces of pots and arrowheads is commonplace, locals say. So, too, is keeping them. With the federal indictment of

Museums ready to hand back Nazi loot — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-14-2009 12:41 PM

Museums ready to hand back Nazi loot New law allows Scotland’s collections to be split up

Official: BLM just doing its job in artifact arrests — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-14-2009 12:58 PM

Grand Rapids, Mich. » The Bureau of Land Management had no option but to enforce laws relating to the looting of archaeological resources in southeastern Utah and did not act in a heavy-handed manner in issuing arrest warrants to 23 people last week.

BLM report linked meth use and artifact thefts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-16-2009 08:08 AM

few years ago, agent Dennis Spruell served a search warrant looking for evidence a woman was selling drugs. Spruell did not find the methamphetamine he was seeking, but he did find American Indian artifacts. "We were trying to get her for meth but never did," said Spruell, who commands a local drug task force based in Cortez, Colo. "The Bureau of Land Management did get her for dealing in artifacts."

Our goal is to have the best museum in the world' — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-16-2009 09:14 AM

Ancient Athens lies at the root of western culture, yet the battles over the marbles that once adorned the Parthenon have been far from civilised. Could the city's new Acropolis Museum offer a fresh beginning?

FBI Sting Catches Alleged Archaeological Thieves in Southwest — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

One arrestee tells his tale: "I'm guilty of arrowhead collecting"

Affidavits describe vast American Indian artifacts stash — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-17-2009 02:07 PM

Jeanne Redd tried to peddle a shell necklace from tribal land made famous in a Tony Hillerman novel. Aubry Patterson would go pot hunting and instead came across American Indian skeletons. And Tad Kreth assured his worried grandmother that he never would end up in jail over his artifact dealing

Did Feds ‘Manhandle’ Defendants in Artifacts Theft Raid? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-18-2009 12:23 PM

In Wake of Suicide, Utah Senators Hatch, Bennett Call for Federal Investigation

Utah senator confronts attorney general on tactics used in artifact raids — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

Sen. Orrin Hatch complains to Atty. Gen. Eric Holder about the number of agents sent and the way in which the operation was announced.

Another suicide in American Indian artifacts looting case — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-20-2009 06:28 PM

A second defendant in the federal crackdown on archaeological looting in southern Utah has killed himself.

Utah grave-robbing arrests highlight old conflict between locals and Feds — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

In December 2008, college student Tim De Christopher was arrested in Salt Lake City for a spontaneous expression of his concern for the health of the public lands, indeed, of the whole planet, when he walked into a Bureau of Land Management gas and oil lease auction and bid up the prices of numerous parcels, actually placing winning bids on 22,000 acres. Charged with one count of fraud, he will be tried later this year, and faces a possible 10 years in prison.

EDITORIAL: Do the feds own everything? Peter Tompa's take on the looting of archaeological resources in the Four Corners — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-22-2009 07:14 AM

Utah's U.S. senators say they want Congress to probe the actions of federal agents who arrested two dozen people -- four of them older than 70 -- June 10 in an investigation of the "theft" of ancient artifacts in the Four Corners region.

Heirs race to find Nazi-looted art before time runs out — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-23-2009 07:06 AM

VIENNA (Reuters) - Eighty-one-year old Thomas Selldorff, who fled Austria with his family before it was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, hopes an upcoming international conference will bolster efforts to return Nazi-looted art.

Man who attempted to sell stolen Hitler bookmark sentenced — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-23-2009 08:23 AM

 

Elgin Marble Argument in a New Light — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-24-2009 10:42 AM

Not long before the new Acropolis Museum opened last weekend, the writer Christopher Hitchens hailed in this newspaper what he called the death of an argument.

Tribes’ NAGPRA complaint against UMass moves forward — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-24-2009 12:34 PM

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. – A complaint against the University of Massachusetts Amherst, claiming violations of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is under investigation and will be heard at a Review Committee meeting in the fall.

Archeologists mum about find — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-24-2009 12:37 PM

Fear of relic-hunting thieves mean artifact site has to be kept under wraps to protect priceless historic artifacts

Indiana Jones and the Temple of eBay — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-24-2009 02:49 PM

For the past couple of years, Charles "Chip" Stanish, professor of anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles, has been hosting a regular, rather geeky get-together of his colleagues. "I have a couple of friends over, we get a nice bottle of Cabernet, and we plug my computer into my big-screen TV," explains the director of UCLA's Cotsen Institute of Archaeology with a sly chuckle. "Then we log on to eBay, do a search for something like 'Egyptian antiques' and just roll with laughter all night long. It is really funny."

Nazi Loot Recovery Is Slow, Arbitrary, Claimants’ Groups Say — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-25-2009 07:05 AM

Governments have failed to live up to commitments to track down and return looted art to Nazi victims and their heirs, claimants’ representatives said before an international meeting on Holocaust-era assets.

Deaths of Artifact Looting Suspects Generate Political Blowback for Interior, Justice — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-26-2009 11:42 AM

 

Current laws are inadequate to protect antiquities — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-26-2009 09:49 PM

Artifacts give us a priceless window into the past, but the laws protecting our past are no more than a Band-Aid on a hemorrhaging patient. Somehow, our personal property rights have come to include prehistoric structures that none of us built, and artifacts that can be willfully destroyed if we happen to hold title to the land. We are about the only civilized nation in the world that allows this unrestricted, unrepentant erasure of history

Eizenstat Favors U.S. Nazi Loot Panel to Advise on Disputed Art — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-29-2009 07:05 AM

Stuart Eizenstat, leading the U.S. delegation at an international conference on Holocaust-era assets in Prague, called for a new U.S. panel to rule on Nazi- looted art disputes to help claimants achieve fair settlements.

Yale Fight for Van Gogh’s ‘Night Cafe’ May Open More Battles — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-30-2009 06:56 AM

For three nights in early September 1888, Vincent van Gogh stayed up painting in a 24-hour drinking establishment a short distance from his house in Arles, France.

Holocaust Conference Urges More Efforts on Looted Art (Update1) — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-30-2009 07:00 AM

The governments of 46 nations pledged to boost efforts to return artworks and other property seized during the Nazi era to Jewish victims and their heirs

House of Commons OKs Restitution Bill on Nazi-Looted Art — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-30-2009 09:36 AM

British bill that, at least in theory, would help return artworks looted by the Nazis to their rightful owners has cleared the House of Commons and now goes to the House of Lords.

Seattle Art Museum Returns Important Australian Aboriginal Secret/Sacred Object to Australia — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-30-2009 09:44 AM

Seattle Art Museum Returns Important Australian Aboriginal Secret/Sacred Object to Australia

Mesopotamian vase sheds light on Germany's artefacts trade — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 06-30-2009 02:00 PM

A legal dispute surrounding an antique golden vase being held in a museum vault in Mainz shines light on the surprisingly important role Germany plays in the often shady world of antiques trading.

Italy unveils antiquities returned by US museum — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-02-2009 10:48 PM

Italian officials on Thursday unveiled 14 artifacts spanning from antiquity to the Middle Ages that were looted or stolen from Italy and recently returned by The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artifact-theft suspect to change plea — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

Raid fallout » Facing seven felonies, Jeanne Redd may have reached deal with prosecutors

Robbing the cradle of mankind — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-05-2009 02:45 PM

The looting of Iraq's National Museum on America's watch was a crime against humanity, laments one of those culpable

NOT ALL HAVE ABANDONED MORALITY IN THE RESTITUTION OF CULTURAL ARTEFACTS BY WESTERN MUSEUMS — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-06-2009 06:56 AM

Sometimes, certain acts occur which make us believe that there is still chance for humankind and that not all persons have allowed themselves to be swept by greed and thirst for power over others. The report about the return by Seattle Art Museum (SAM) to Australian Aborigines of a ceremonial object, without being requested by the owners, may appear to many as a small matter in itself. However, when one takes into account the discussions on restitution of cultural objects to their rightful owners, this act acquires added significance.*

Redd, daughter admit to artifact thefts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-06-2009 04:18 PM

Blanding resident Jeanne Redd and her daughter pleaded guilty to multiple felonies Monday morning for illegally trafficking in ancient artifacts.

Restitution of art looted by the Nazis takes on new urgency — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-07-2009 06:56 AM

With little more than paper, pen and her own detective skills, Miriam Friedman Morris has been on a personal mission for nearly 30 years to track down a lifetime's worth of her father's artwork that was plundered by the Nazis.

Redd, daughter admit to looting, selling ancient Indian artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-07-2009 08:04 AM

Crime » Assistant U.S. attorney says office would recommend Jeanne and Jericca Redd not serve maximum sentence.

Child's remains finally repatriated to tribe — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-07-2009 08:07 AM

NAGPRA » A decade after 19th-century grave discovery, Kanosh band receives remains in the first successful repatriation under Utah law.

Emotions run hot over artifact raids in Utah — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-07-2009 12:19 PM

In a federal raid last month, more than 150 armed agents pounded on doors around town at dawn and rousted 16 residents. They had allegedly looted artifacts such as pipes, jewelry, stone knives and woven sandals and sold them to an undercover informant.

Feds removing American Indian artifacts from burial site thieves' home — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-07-2009 12:28 PM

Blanding » The day after Jeanne Redd and her daughter pleaded guilty to looting American Indian artifacts, teams of federal agents and archaeologists began removing relics from the family's Blanding home.

Stolen Beauty: A Greek Urn’s Underworld — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-07-2009 07:57 PM

Italy’s biggest prize in the war against looting antiquities went on view recently at the Villa Giulia in Rome.

Feds seize Redds' stolen relics — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-08-2009 05:33 AM

Artifacts trafficking » Officials say the collection was partly stored and partly on display at the home.

U.S. settles with family of Southeast Asia scholar — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-08-2009 05:37 AM

Roxanna Brown was both informant and target in a probe into donations of allegedly looted Thai antiquities to museums. Days after her arrest, she died in custody. The government will pay $880,000.

Nazi-Era Claim Rejected in Court — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-09-2009 08:50 AM

The U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana has decided against a claim for a work alleged to have been looted by Nazis. The court found that the Oskar Kokoschka painting Portrait of a Youth (Hans Reichel) (1910) rightfully belongs to Sarah Blodgett Dunbar, whose mother, Sarah Blodgett Platt, purchased it from Galerie St. Etienne in New York in 1946.

UNESCO: US damaged historic Iraqi site of Babylon — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-09-2009 11:51 AM

PARIS (AP) — U.S. troops and contractors inflicted considerable damage on the historic Iraqi site of Babylon, driving heavy machinery over sacred paths, bulldozing hilltops and digging trenches through one of the world' most important archaeological sites, experts for UNESCO said Thursday.

Treasure hunt: Efforts grow to prevent trade in Iraq antiquities — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-10-2009 06:46 AM

In 1901 a group of French archaeologists uncovered a 2,700-year-old Babylonian tablet in what is now Iran. Not only is the Hammurabi codex the first example of a written legal code; it is also the oldest known looted artefact plundered from ancient Mesopotamia

Dutch gov't returns stolen antiquities to Iraq — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-10-2009 06:50 AM

The Dutch government turned over dozens of antiquities stolen from Iraq to Baghdad's ambassador on Thursday and urged other countries to clamp

Historical sites near U.S. border at risk for looting — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-14-2009 02:01 PM

Archeological sites closer to the U.S. border appear more likely to be looted as Americans face stricter penalties for such crimes back home, says an unpublished report for Canadian Heritage.

Man accused of threatening to beat informant in artifacts looting case — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-14-2009 06:56 PM

Federal officials say a Blanding, Utah, man wanted to harm an antiquities dealer who aided in a probe that led to the arrest of two dozen -- including the man's doctor, who later killed himself.

Blanding man accused of threatening to beat up informant in artifacts case — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-14-2009 07:03 PM

In yet another twist in the widening crackdown on illegal artifact trafficking, a 44-year-old Blanding man has been charged with threatening to beat up the undercover informant in the case with a baseball bat.

Rome Court Upholds Conviction of Antiquities Dealer (Update1) — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-15-2009 01:25 PM

July 15 (Bloomberg) -- A Rome appeals court today upheld the conviction of art dealer Giacomo Medici, who had been accused of supplying museums and collectors around the world with antiquities looted from tombs and smuggled out of Italy.

Furor Over Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-16-2009 07:17 AM

Last April, the Palestinian Authority appealed to Canada’s prime minister, Stephen Harper, to cancel the show, citing international conventions that make it illegal for a government agency to take archaeological artifacts from a territory that its country occupies.

'Anasazi sickness': Relic raiders do more than mess with histo — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-18-2009 11:07 AM

shell necklace scoured from ancient ruins makes for a rare collector's item in the white man's world and fetches thousands of dollars for a grave robber. A clay pot with pre-Columbian black-and-white zigzags is a coveted mantel ornament in Santa Fe or Salt Lake City.

Couple sentenced for looting artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-21-2009 08:32 AM

An Arkansas couple has been sentenced in federal court for looting stone tools, arrowheads and other artifacts from an archeological site near the Buffalo National River.

Setback for Iraq as ancient gold vial seized in Germany — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-21-2009 01:09 PM

   Berlin - In a setback for Iraqi efforts to claim a tiny ancient gold vial, the item has been sent to a valuer in line with a German court order, a lawyer said Tuesday.

Report: Religious artifacts in Cyprus in ‘great peril’ — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-22-2009 07:20 AM

Religious artifacts on the divided island of Cyprus are in “great peril,” according to a U.S. Helsinki Commission document to be released Tuesday afternoon

British Museum may hand back Aboriginal artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-22-2009 08:50 AM

THE British Museum has begun talks with Victorian Aboriginals about the possible return of rare bark etchings believed to be more than 150 years old.

Artifacts meant to stay on national, state lands — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-27-2009 02:17 PM

National Park Service officials hope the recent conviction of a Russellville couple for violating a federal law will serve as a lesson to those who traipse across public land seeking a piece of history to take home.

Italy Seeks Ancient Loot From Symes Trustees — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

Babylon's Ancient Wonder, Lying in Ruins — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

HILLA, Iraq -- Maytham Hamzah cast his eyes toward the remains of King Nebuchadnezzar's guest palace in Babylon, one of the world's first great cities. He smiled, bitterly.

Constitutional court asked to rule on Law on Cultural Heritage — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 07-31-2009 10:04 AM

Bulgarian ombudsman Ginyo Ganev wants the Constitutional Court to rule the Law on Cultural Heritage as unconstitutional.

Bulgaria: an Archaeology and Treasure Hunting Paradise. Or Hell — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-02-2009 12:32 PM

The Panagyurishte Golden Thracian Treasure is part of Bulgaria's cultural heritage that has made it to a museum. Many similar Bulgarian cultural finds, however, have ended with private collectors around the world.

Netherlands ratifies Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-04-2009 01:02 PM

Acceptance by Netherlands of the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (Paris, 14 November 1970)

Ratification by Italy to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (The Hague, 26 March 1999) — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-04-2009 01:05 PM

Ratification by Italy to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (The Hague, 26 March 1999)

THE AMAZING DIRECTOR OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM: GRATUITOUS INSULTS AS CURRENCY OF CULTURAL DIPLOMACY? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-04-2009 05:01 PM

It seems there is nobody in the whole of Great Britain who can persuade the Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, to refrain from making atrocious statements about cultural matters, especially about cultural objects of others which have been looted or removed under dubious circumstance and brought to the British Museum. Apart from his equally offensive theory that the cultures of others can only be properly understood in the British Museum which has many other looted objects, he recently argued that the Benin bronzes were made from materials produced in Europe and that this somehow gives the British Museum legitimacy to hold the looted bronzes. The following insulting statement, made recently, is in line with his usual disrespect for others “The Greek government has simply continued Elgin's practice and removed the rest [of the Parthenon Marbles] now from the building, because you can't see them on the building. When those sculptures came to London, for the first time they were at a height where people could see them and they were in a place where tens, hundreds of thousands of people could see these were great objects.” (1)

Tribal claims sought for artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-04-2009 05:06 PM

The Bureau of Land Management is giving potential claimants to cultural resources unearthed during the excavation of the Animas-La Plata Project a month to state their case.

Antiquities Authority begins to register private collectors — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-05-2009 05:46 AM

The Israel Antiquities Authority launched a campaign Tuesday to register the estimated 100,000 citizens who have private antiquities collections.

Feds say artifact looting case likely to grow — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-05-2009 09:47 PM

SALT LAKE CITY — Federal authorities in charge of the nation's biggest bust of artifact looting and grave-robbing are targeting more suspects ranging from those who do the digging to wealthy buyers in the lucrative black market of ancient Southwest relics.

Man sentenced for stealing dino bones — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-06-2009 08:56 AM

Man sentenced for stealing dino bones The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune Updated:08/05/2009 12:11:11 AM MDT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Colorado man who admitted stealing several pieces of dinosaur bone and other archaeological items from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is now serving six months of probation for the misdemeanor.

American Indian linked to federal artifacts looting case — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-07-2009 08:57 AM

New Mexico man of Indian descent had little trouble getting his hands on sacred Puebloan artifacts: He just walked onto reservations and bought bowls, Hopi kachina masks, Sun Dance skulls, eagle feathers, knives, pots and fetishes from tribal members.

Worldwide Iraqi treasure hunt — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-09-2009 11:30 AM

The looting of Iraq's National Museum was one of the greatest scandals of the U.S. invasion in 2003. Archaeologists had repeatedly warned Washington that, without protection, the Baghdad museum – which held the priceless cultural heritage of not just of Mesopotamia, but of mankind – would be ransacked by looters.

Archaeologists: Stewards of science — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-09-2009 11:53 AM

Participants at Pecos Conference distinguish themselves from looters

DO DIRECTORS OF “UNIVERSAL MUSEUMS” EVER LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-18-2009 01:45 PM

It appears legitimate to question whether the directors of “universal museums” ever learn from experience. When we read the books and articles of James Cuno, Director of the Art Institute of Chicago, Neal MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, and Philippe de Montebello, former Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, we cannot escape the conclusion that, as far as restitution is concerned, these directors have not learnt anything from recent history and events. (1) This impression has been confirmed by statements made by Philippe de Montebello at Rockland, Maine, United States. (2)

Italy Cracks Down On Raiders Of Lost Art — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-10-2009 07:07 PM

The story of the theft — and ultimate return — of a magnificent ancient vase painted by Euphronios, the greatest Greek vase artist of antiquity, is a gripping tale that has helped to cripple the illicit international art trade.

The Keeper of the Keys and the Mystery of the Bactrian Gold — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-12-2009 08:07 AM

Afghan Banker Who Risked His Life to Save Treasure From the Taliban Finally Gets His Due

Americans and Iraqis work to urgently preserve the ancient Assyrian capital — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-12-2009 08:14 AM

Diane Siebrandt, an archeologist and cultural heritage officer at the United States Embassy Baghdad, assesses the ancient ruins of the Assyrian capital of Ashur in Sharqat. Siebrandt, along with the Ashur site director and Salah ad-Din Provincial Reconstruction Team members walked through Ashur to document the condition of the ruins and promote the preservation of the historical city, July 26. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jazz Burney, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs) CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq - The ancient Assyrian City of Ashur faces imminent threats. Recent construction of a dam on the Tigris River is causing large sections of the City to be swept away, while other precious artifacts are being looted from one of three World Heritage sites in Iraq. The United States Embassy, with the assistance of the American military, and officials from Iraq's Board of Antiquities organized the first international assessment of the site since 2003. The Embassy's most senior diplomat in the region said time is of the essence.

The Rape of Mesopotamia: Behind the Looting of the Iraq Museum — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-13-2009 10:17 PM

Johan Franzén is disturbed by America's failure to protect Iraq's historical artefacts during the war The 2003 Anglo-American invasion of Iraq recently marked its sixth anniversary. During these years, thousands of people have been killed, injured, maimed and tortured as a direct or indirect result of the invasion and the chaos it precipitated. In the absence of the repressive Baathist regime, various groups have seized the opportunity to position themselves and get a "piece of the action".

Sunken ship at center of legal tug of war — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-17-2009 08:12 AM

State, research group battle for ownership of sunken schooner

Has the British Museum lost its marbles? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-19-2009 07:59 AM

For two centuries, Greek governments have been at loggerheads with the British Museum over the ownership of the so-called Elgin Marbles. These ancient sculptures are an integral part of the Parthenon that crowns the Acropolis in the centre of Athens and Greeks have argued that the British should reunite them to their original place. The Greek case rests on the simple fact that the marbles are Greek property and that they had been illegally removed from the Parthenon and shipped to the British Museum.

Fed crackdown puts tribal artifact dealers on edge — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-19-2009 01:12 PM

An intensifying federal investigation into the sale of Native American artifacts has brought fear and uncertainty to one of the nation's largest and longest-running Indian artifact shows.

Artifacts case: Indicted couple will turn over relics collection — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-19-2009 02:06 PM

A Colorado couple indicted along with 24 others in Utah as part of an investigation into illegal trafficking of ancient Puebloan artifacts has turned over an extensive relics collection to federal authorities, pending further legal action against them

Stealing the Past — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-19-2009 02:19 PM

Recent artifact raids shed light on today’s looting syndicate and the damage it does to New Mexico’s history

Appeals court overturns Holocaust looted-art law, but Norton Simon suit continues — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-19-2009 10:48 PM

A federal appeals court today struck down as unconstitutional a 2002 California law giving owners and heirs to artworks looted by the Nazis extra time -- until the end of 2010 -- to sue for their return.

Von Saher v. Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-20-2009 01:14 PM

Marei von Saher ("Saher") seeks the return of two paintings alleged to have been looted by the Nazis during World War II. The paintings were purchased in or around 1971 by the Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena, California ("the Museum"), and are now on display there. Saher brought this claim against the Museum under § 354.3 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, which extends the statute of limitations until 2010 for actions for the recovery of Holocaust-era art. The primary issue on appeal is whether § 354.3 infringes on the national government's exclusive foreign affairs powers. The district court held that it does. We agree, and affirm the district court's holding that § 354.3 is preempted.

Feds haul off more seized artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-20-2009 04:53 PM

Four Corners » Colorado dealers agree to surrender vast collection of sacred relics.

Landing the Looters — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-21-2009 07:00 PM

In a land chock-full of wealthy tombs and poor farmers, grave robbing is an ancient tradition. But in the past decade, China has tightened its laws against looting, a reflection of changing attitudes toward archaeological treasures

WOULD WESTERN MUSEUMS RETURN LOOTED OBJECTS IF NIGERIA AND OTHER AFRICAN STATES WERE RULED BY ANGELS? RESTITUTION AND CORRUPTION* — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-21-2009 09:14 AM

A seminal study by Peju Layiwola, dealt with the question of the cultural memory of a people whose development has been brutally interrupted and their cultural objects seized by a foreign invader. (1) In the specific case of Benin, the British seized more than 3000 artefacts during their nefarious invasion in 1879. (2) This date and the invasion have remained memorable for the people of Benin, Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

Is Greece Losing its Elgin Marbles? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-21-2009 06:57 PM

The battle over antiquities-loving and antiquities-producing countries continues.

The Norton Simon Museum is battling to keep 'Adam' and 'Eve' — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-22-2009 04:19 PM

An heir to an art dealer who had them looted by the Nazis has staked a claim to the museum's prized works.

Protecting our ancient pictographs — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-24-2009 07:44 AM

Site in Millican Valley is now listed on National Register of Historic Places

Scottish laser pioneers lead way in preserving world heritage treasures — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-26-2009 08:13 AM

Mount Rushmore carvings will be first test of plan to guard historic sites from ravages of weather and pollution by creating accurate 3D models

Archeologist condemns historical-site looting — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-26-2009 06:57 PM

A Parks Canada archeologist condemned on Wednesday signs of looting at a Nova Scotia Acadian historical site, and says it's indicative of a wider problem plaguing such sites around the world.

Grand Junction man accused of selling Indian artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-26-2009 07:01 PM

A Grand Junction man was indicted late Tuesday for allegedly selling and transporting Indian artifacts taken from public lands in Colorado.

Looting of Indian artifacts targeted — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-27-2009 12:55 PM

Federal crackdown reveals depth of criminal intrigue

Viking treasure sells for nearly $2 million — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-27-2009 12:59 PM

An important Viking hoard of jewels and coins unearthed in England by a father-and-son team of treasure hunters in 2007 has been acquired by two museums and will go on display next month.

Colo. man indicted in looting case — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-27-2009 01:09 PM

26th person charged with stealing ancient Native American artifacts

Looting of Indian artifacts targeted — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-28-2009 12:24 PM

Federal crackdown reveals depth of criminal intrigue

Digging deep — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-28-2009 12:28 PM

An army of amateur archaeologists is rewriting British history

Utah to turn over fabled canyon to archaeologists — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-28-2009 12:31 PM

Visitors look at a looted Fremont Indian pit house outside a protected area at Range Creek Canyon, Utah. State authorities are transferring control of this remote canyon, filled with prehistoric ruins, to the University of Utah for a permanent research installation. The land trade is set to occur in September.

Act now, protect Petrified Forest from looters — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 08-28-2009 12:54 PM

Authorities finally are cracking down in a big way on the illegal trade in Native American artifacts It must be matched by aggressive measures to protect archaeological sites from looting. An obvious and urgent step is for the federal government to buy the private property, rich in fossils and prehistoric culture, within Petrified Forest National Park.

Second Kokoschka Nazi loot claim rejected — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-09-2009 08:07 AM

New Orleans court rules against claimant who also lost against MFA Boston

Swedish museum settles dispute on Nazi-looted art — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-10-2009 07:15 AM

A Swedish art museum said Wednesday it had settled a six-year dispute over a painting claimed by the heirs of a Jewish businessman who lost it when he fled Germany in 1939 to escape Nazi persecution.

Returning Sacred Native American Objects — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-11-2009 11:29 AM

Museums across the country are returning items to Native American tribes. That’s because of a law the federal government passed two decades ago, called the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, or NAGPRA. It requires museums, at their expense, to return certain objects that are sacred or of cultural importance to tribes. Those include human remains.

Swiss to keep painting taken from Jews during WWII — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-11-2009 11:59 AM

GENEVA — Swiss law bars a museum from surrendering a 19th-century painting that it was given after it had been stolen from a Jewish family in Paris by the pro-Nazi Vichy French regime during World War II, authorities said Thursday.

Determining fate of looted relics could take years — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-13-2009 05:45 PM

SALT LAKE CITY — Once the legal dust settles from the nation's biggest bust of Southwestern artifact looting, federal officials face another daunting task: deciding what to do with the ancient sandals, pipes, pendants and thousands of other items associated with the investigation.

ICE, CBP return prehistoric fossils to China — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-15-2009 07:05 AM

At a ceremony at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) returned prehistoric fossils to the Chinese.

Colorado man appears in court on artifact charges — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-15-2009 07:33 AM

Denver » The Grand Junction man is to enter his plea on Sept. 30.

A Review And Addenda: Michael Gross's Rogues' Gallery — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-17-2009 07:54 AM

Over three years ago Michael Gross informed me by telephone that he was writing a history of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA) and desired to meet with me. He wanted information regarding dealings and policies of the museum’s Directors, Trustees and selected staff.

Redds dodge prison in artifact sentencing — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-17-2009 10:58 AM

Their offenses were serious enough for prison time -- 10 felonies between them on charges of illegal trafficking in ancient American Indian artifacts -- but Blanding residents Jeanne Redd and daughter Jericca won't be locked up.

Odyssey Marine Reaches Salvage-Award Deal — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-18-2009 12:01 PM

Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. (OMEX) will receive a salvage award of $160,000 in a settlement with the U.K. government for artifacts recovered so far from a gunship wreck in the English Channel

Return Artifacts To Tribes, Fed Appointee Says — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-18-2009 09:12 PM

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) ― American Indian tribes should be given the first opportunity to reclaim thousands of ancient Southwest artifacts being seized by the government in its sweeping prosecution of theft and trafficking, the federal appointee in charge of Indian affairs told The Associated Press on Friday.

Collector Crackdown Artifact robbers put archaeology on the offensive — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-19-2009 11:22 AM

They called the operation Cerberus Action, after a mythical, hydra-headed canine that fiercely guards the underworld.

Iraq army arrests 3 men on charges of trafficking stolen antiquities — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-20-2009 07:44 PM

Authorities in northern Iraq have arrested three men on charges they were trying to traffic stolen antiquities, including the bust of a Sumerian king, a local army commander said Saturday.

Corps followed the law in handling of jawbone found on the Columbia River — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-22-2009 08:32 PM

ALAN Schneider and Cleone Hawkinson want us to believe the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers erred in its handling of a recently discovered human jawbone ["Corps' handling of human remains obscures the past," Opinion, Sept. 15].

Looting — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-23-2009 11:34 AM

When the trials are over, artifacts must go to tribes

Origin of species? How about origin of property? — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-24-2009 07:08 AM

Universities could face expensive legal action and embarrassing ethical questions if they don't formulate rules on how to manage their cultural property.

FBI help return over 1,000 artifacts to Italy — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-24-2009 08:36 AM

BARI, Italy (Reuters) - Italian police working with the FBI have recovered more than 1,000 Italian artifacts found in the home of a U.S. collector, ranging from medieval scrolls to a letter signed by former dictator Benito Mussolini.

Tribal artifacts returned — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-25-2009 12:23 PM

Federal officials hand over items looted from graves, other sacred sites

Turkey a magnet for smugglers of historical artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-28-2009 11:35 AM

Turkey is not only a cradle for the most ancient civilizations of the world but also continues to serve as a honey pot for smugglers of cultural and natural assets.

Creditors try to seize Argentine dinosaur in Germany — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-28-2009 12:12 PM

Argentine dinosaurs on display in Germany as part of a mega samples, were in the midst of a legal fight with creditors of the State, as a group of bondholders asked the Justice of that country to lock an embargo on that collection.

Artifacts returned to tribes — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 09-29-2009 11:02 AM

Artifacts belonging to the Spokane, Colville, Nez Perce and Coeur d’Alene tribes were recently returned following a several-year investigation by federal authorities

Checkmate for First Minister as iconic Lewis pieces are finally repatriated — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-02-2009 09:56 AM

CULTURE Minister Mike Russell is expected to announce today that the British Museum in London has agreed to return some of the world’s most famous chess pieces to Scotland.

Argentine Diplomat Stopped Smuggling Thousands of Iranian Antique Objects and Ancient Artefacts Out of Iran — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-02-2009 10:12 AM

It is claimed that Iran's Customs officers foiled the plot of an Argentine diplomat who sought to smuggle thousands of Iranian antique objects and ancient artefacts out of Iran, reported the Persian service of ISNA

A town's love of Indian artifacts backfires — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-03-2009 04:46 PM

High above the spiky sandstone spine known as Comb Ridge that snakes for 120 miles through the desert, archaeologist Winston Hurst treads carefully through a cave of ruins.

Hunts for Indian Relics Date to 19th Century — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-03-2009 04:50 PM

The ''pot-hunting'' culture of the Southwest dates back to the 1800s, when a Colorado ranching family began exploring and excavating the ruined cliff dwellings of the Anasazi, an ancient civilization that flourished centuries ago.

Dispute between relic hunters, government goes back more than a century — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-04-2009 12:31 PM

The "pot-hunting" culture of the Southwest dates back to the 1800s, when a Colorado ranching family began exploring and excavating the ruined cliff dwellings of the Anasazi, an ancient civilization that flourished centuries ago.

Archaeological sites face ruin from treasure-hunting 'nighthawkers' — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-04-2009 12:42 PM

licit raids on fragile archaeological sites are on the rise because of the recession, according to English Heritage.

Nighthawks step up raids on buried treasure — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-04-2009 12:53 PM

ARMED with metal detectors, they conduct their raids under cover of darkness, creeping onto other people’s property to dig up ancient artefacts of gold and silver, which they will sell to the highest bidder.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, -against- PORTRAIT OF WALLY, A PAINTING BY EGON SCHIELE, Defendant In Rem. — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-05-2009 08:04 AM

This protracted dispute stems from the alleged theft of Portrait of Wally ("Wally" or "the Painting"), a painting by renowned Austrian artist Egon Schiele, from Lea Bondi Jaray ("Bondi"). The Government, and Bondi's Estate (the "Estate"), contend that after the Germans occupied Austria in 1938, Friedrich Welz, a Nazi, stole Wally from Bondi, a Jewish owner of a Viennese art gallery, and the Painting has remained stolen property ever since. The Government and the Estate further assert that claimant the Leopold Museum (the "Museum"), knowing Wally was stolen or converted, nonetheless shipped it into this country in violation of the National Stolen Property Act ("NSPA"), 18 U.S.C. § 2314 (1994), thereby rendering the Painting subject to civil forfeiture pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 545, 19 U.S.C. § 1595(a)(c), and 22 U.S.C. § 401(a).

Chessmen 'will never come home' — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-05-2009 10:30 AM

THE deputy chairman of the British Museum all but closed the door on the complete return of the Lewis chessmen to Scotland yesterday, even as a 16-month tour of 30 historic pieces to four venues north of the Border was unveiled.

Illinois man admits illegally selling prehistoric artifacts — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-06-2009 01:04 PM

An Illinois man pleaded guilty Monday to a federal felony and admitted illegally digging up and selling prehistoric artifacts for years.

In an antique land — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-06-2009 07:52 PM

India does not have a tradition of collecting or trading in antiques because the state discourages it.

Returned Artifacts Displayed in Kabul — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-07-2009 07:19 AM

KABUL, Afghanistan — On most days, the news from Afghanistan involves something exploding. Which is why Tuesday was such a surprise: instead of bombings, it brought the unveiling of stolen treasures, some as old as the Bronze Age.

State Department Investigates Spain’s Prado — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-07-2009 10:01 AM

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A Florida-based Cuban family has prompted the U.S. State Department to investigate Madrid’s Prado to determine if the museum violated a law that makes it illegal to traffic in works of art owned by a U.S. citizen that were nationalized by the Cuban government.

Egypt breaks ties with France's Louvre Museum — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-07-2009 02:27 PM

Egypt announced on Wednesday that it has cut all cooperation with France's Louvre Museum until it secures the return of "stolen" Pharaonic relics in the latest row involving the exhibits of a major European institution

France to return Egyptian relics if theft is proved — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-07-2009 10:18 PM

FRANCE is ready to return five relics to Egypt if the Pharaonic antiquities at the Louvre Museum were indeed stolen, Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand said today.

Saving the Wrecks of the Channel — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-08-2009 07:50 PM

Marine Archaeologists Fear Historic Vessels, Under Threat From Fishing Trawlers, May Be Lost Forever

Nazi Art Litigation Alert: Seized Schiele Painting Case Cleared for Trial — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-08-2009 10:03 PM

The Litigation Daily is a big admirer of Austrian impressionist painter Egon Schiele, and we've enjoyed checking out his intense, angular portraits in New York museums like the Neue Galerie. But one Schiele painting in New York has been off limits to art lovers ever since it was seized by Manhattan's district attorney in 1997 while on loan from Vienna.

Prison time, felony charges rare for relic looters — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-11-2009 05:46 PM

Stepping into the afternoon sun last month, Jeanne Redd and her daughter Jericca walked away from a federal courthouse with probation papers — not prison time — for their role in the theft and illegal trafficking of Indian artifacts.

Museums launch joint appeal to keep The Staffordshire Hoard in the Midlands — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-11-2009 05:48 PM

MUSEUM bosses and city leaders have launched an appeal to keep the prized Staffordshire Hoard in the Midlands.

Iran gives UK 2 months' grace over artifact — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-12-2009 10:15 AM

Iran has warned to cease scientific and cultural cooperation with Britain if the UK fails to loan the Achaemenid Cyrus cylinder to Iran in two months' time.

Rendering relics unto Egypt — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-12-2009 10:29 AM

"Finders keepers." That saying may work when you unearth a can of quarters in your backyard. But when you're dealing with ancient artifacts that are priceless, it's harder to justify.

To Catch a Looter — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-13-2009 09:15 PM

AS United States troops begin withdrawing from Iraq, we should take stock of the staggering damage that Iraq’s ancient archeological sites have suffered from looting over the last few years. After the 2003 invasion, swarms of looters dug huge pits and passages all over southern Iraq in search of cuneiform tablets and cylinder seals. At Isin, where a Sumerian city once stood, I watched men sifting through tons of soil for 4,000-year-old objects to sell to Baghdadi dealers. It was mass pillage.

Murky waters and a creaky law — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-14-2009 06:46 PM

Treasure Trove Act 'archaic', doesn’t protect historic shipwrecks, critics say

U-M to review policies on returning Indian remains — by Gary Nurkin — last modified 10-16-2009 06:43 PM

DETROIT - Facing criticism for still holding the remains of about 1,400 Native Americans in its archaeological collection, the University of Michigan will be reviewing its policies on how to properly deal with Indian bones and artifacts.

Fragments come back home — by Gary Nurkin —