Paper short abstract:

This paper will present the case of illegal salvaging and illicit trafficking of underwater artifacts from The Mentawai Islands, Indonesia and will highlight the necessity of increasing awareness in preserving underwater heritage.

Paper long abstract:

In 2010, a previously unknown shipwreck was discovered off the coast of Mentawai Island, West Sumatera, Indonesia, four meters below the surface. Originally located at a greater depth, the wreck was displaced into shallower water due to the earthquake and tsunami that struck the region in October 2010. The shipwreck and its cargo were first discovered by a Disaster Management Unit team while monitoring coral reef damage. A Ministry-led team was assembled to begin an investigation and verify the discovery, but illicit salvage had already begun.

This paper will discuss the results of the investigation which eventually dismantled the illicit trafficking network that included local fishermen and unethical local officials, most likely with the collusion of international salvage companies. Artifacts illicitly removed include bluish-white ceramics, metal coins, cannons, busts and statues of the Buddha, wooden stamps dating to 1736, jewelry, etc. Most of the looted assemblage has already been sold, and the remainder has been seized and is currently secured by the Ministry of Education and Culture. This paper will also highlight the necessity of increasing awareness in both governmental and public spheres, and offers a number of ways to preserve our underwater heritage in Indonesia’s numerous remote areas.

Paper short abstract:

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Paper long abstract:

Southeast Asia is a region in which rich and diverse cultural heritage can be found throughout the region. Due to various factors, an enormous amount of cultural property has been removed from its country of origin and made its way to foreign antiquities markets both within and outside the region. The smuggling of cultural property can be considered a national crisis, on par with other organised crimes (e.g. human and drug trafficking). Therefore, countries are highly encouraged to construe protective measures to more effectively tackle this issue. During a recent UNESCO symposium in Bangkok, delegates from Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, presented evidence indicating that most countries already have legal measures in place to hypothetically deter the illegal plundering of their cultural heritage.

In the case of Thailand, besides being a source country, it can also be seen as a transit country where the cultural property of others has been illicitly located. However, it does not seem very clear to what extent foreign cultural objects which were illegally traded can be protected by national laws, for example, the illicit trafficking of Khmer statues in Thailand. This paper presents results of a study on the attitudes of the Thai government towards the cultural heritage of others in terms of relevant national legislation. Especially in light of another high-profile smuggling ring and subsequent repatriation efforts, it is hoped that this analysis can enhance international collaboration and highlight useful points for further discussion.

Paper short abstract:

This paper discusses the results of a preliminary investigation into the Vietnamese antiquities trade in its legal and archaeological context. Data derives from street-level survey in Hanoi (01/2014) and solicited interview with archaeologists, government official, and cooperative dealers.

Paper long abstract:

In 2013 Vietnam became one of the 21 States Parties elected to become a member of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), the international body responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Although not the first Southeast Asian nation to assume this important international role, Vietnam has joined the Committee at a time when increasing attention is being given to the continuing threat in the region from looting and trafficking of cultural property. Much of this attention has focused on Cambodia and Thailand, but the Vietnamese archaeological record has, and continues to be, a victim of this illicit activity. In this paper, we present a preliminary review of what is known about the illicit trade in Vietnamese cultural heritage, both within Vietnam itself and from Vietnam to key regional and international market countries. Data derives primarily from pilot fieldwork conducted in Hanoi in early 2014, as well as interview data solicited before and during that time. Results of a preliminary street-level survey of market activity in Hanoi will also be discussed. Within the framework of what current legislation permits and what efforts, if any, are being made to regulate antiquities trafficking, new case studies since 2014 will be used to argue for further research.

Paper short abstract:

Vigan City is the capital of Ilocos Sur, Northern Luzon, Philippines. Aside from its colonial houses, cobblestone streets, and gastronomic cuisines, the city is known for its vintage shops and curios stores that sometimes sell illicit antiquities like ancient ceramics.

Paper long abstract:

Vigan City is the capital of Ilocos Sur, Northern Luzon, Philippines. In 1999, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is the best preserved example of Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture is the confluence of cultural elements from the Philippines, China and Spain. Moreover, in 2014, the city was recognized as one of the new seven wonder cities in the world together with Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur and La Paz. Aside from its colonial houses, cobblestone streets, and gastronomic cuisines, the city is known for its vintage shops and curios stores. As a matter of fact, some of the old houses were converted into antique shops that sells old stuff such as religious images, house items and even oriental tradeware ceramics and indigenous prehistoric potteries. I have visited the city many times. As an archaeologist that specializes in the study of oriental trade ceramics, I know that these potteries are from looted sites from burial, habitation and shipwreck sites in the country. This paper will study how these antique shops obtain these very important cultural materials and how they market and profit from them. It will also investigate what are the cultural heritage laws of the Philippines that these antique shops are violating in selling these antiquities. Furthermore, the study will recommend how the illicit antiquities trade via selling them in antique shops be stopped or at least be regulated and monitored.