The Economics of Looting and Destruction of Cultural Heritage Sites and Objects

ABSTRACT

This study discusses a topic that is relatively understudied in economics: looting and destruction of cultural heritage sites and objects during epochs of violence. While economic literature on culture, cultural practices, and cultural institutions is long-standing, overlooked are the economic motivations for heritage (a material expression of culture) destruction, the economic consequences of the destruction, and potential policies for prevention from future destruction. Heritage objects during peace times turn into blood antiquities during violent conflicts. Illicit excavations in one country garnish museums in another. Covering a bird’s-eye view of these topics, the study also highlights prospects for future economic research and reiterates a unique opportunity cultural heritage reconstruction may provide for reconciliation in post-conflict countries.

KEYWORDS:

• Cultural heritage looting
• conflict and peace economics
• genocides and mass atrocities
• transitional justice
• post-conflict reconciliation

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. This attack happened at a place of worship and not at a heritage site.

2. There is an extensive literature examining economic importance of heritage sites and performance arts for tourism for a local economy. The argument herein centers around the relative overlooking of such analysis at a microlevel.

3. The full list is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/.

4. Chance finds refer to accidental discovery of artifacts, such as those under deep sea.

5. For example, Brodie and Sabrine (2018), Rothfield (2019), and Anderson (2017).

6. Full list of sites can be found at http://whc.unesco.org/en/danger/.

7. Full article can be accessed at http://genocidewatch.net/genocide-2/8-stages-of-genocide/.

8. Also quoted in (Intriligator 2010).