Content area
Abstract
Largely understudied among criminologists, the theft and illicit export of antiquities represents a peculiar example of a transnational “grey” market. Unlike other forms of trafficking, the illicit means by which the licit international antiquities trade is supplied must be disguised in order to be profitable. It is this unique transformation in legal status that antiquities must undergo which most notably distinguishes it from other forms of smuggling. My study departs from previous research in that it focuses on the “source” end of the problem and examines the social organization and criminal dynamics of archaeological theft. Using web-based survey techniques, this study is the first attempt to collect systematic information about theft at archaeological sites using a global sample of archaeologists. The survey involves both qualitative and quantitative components, and the response rate of 16% (N = 2,358) is unprecedented. This study focuses on archaeologists' personal experiences with, perceptions of, and opinions about the nature of looting and the destruction of archaeological sites.
