Welcome
to ICOM International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods, a collaborative platform designed to provide information and resources to all concerned parties.
On illicit traffic
Everyday, somewhere in the world, an object is either stolen or looted in order to be illegally sold on the market. Illicit trafficking in works of art and cultural property has become a serious issue over the past 30 years.
The phenomenon causes significant damage to tangible heritage, particularly in certain regions of the world where theft and looting are common. Looting is most acute in countries which are home to a rich cultural and archeological heritage but are missing [...]