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Institute of Archaeology

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Antiquities and the Law

This module examines legislation that has been enacted at both national and international levels in attempts to protect cultural heritage from pillage, with particular emphasis on UNESCO conventions.

Examples of actions for recovery will be studied in some depth in seminar sessions and will include specific prosecutions under the Theft Act and the Stolen Property Act, and Italy's pursuit of its artefacts in US museums. The module is intended to provide an acute awareness of the looting of archaeological sites to supply artefacts for the trade in antiquities, an understanding of the workings of the market and a solid grounding in the relevant legal instruments that exist to protect cultural heritage.

Aims of the module

The module is intended to provide an acute awareness of the looting of archaeological sites to supply artefacts for the trade in antiquities, an understanding of the workings of the market and a solid grounding in the relevant legal instruments that exist to protect cultural heritage.

Teaching Methods

The module will be taught by a mixture of lectures by the instructor(s) and by seminar discussions with presentations by the students. Seminar presentations are required but do not affect the final mark.

Module information

  • Code: ARCL0126 
  • Credits: 15
  • Coordinator: tbc
  • Prerequisite: This course does not have a prerequisite.
  • Handbook: 

For registered students

Availability

  • Not running in 2023-24