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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;2manybooks, post: 8443823, member: 8267&quot;]Sometimes we get postings here, usually from new members, asking about artifacts that seem to have somewhat sketchy origins. Often these are related to regions affected by recent foreign wars. After the last such post, I was trying to find out if there was any organization or agency that assists in repatriating objects to their country of origin that we could refer people to, in case the member had a conscience. I found a group within the U.S. State Department called the &quot;Cultural Antiquities Task Force&quot;, and sent an inquiry. They actually replied (!). While they could not provide an easy solution, they did recommend some steps that might be taken. I thought others here might be interested in the conversation.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is my email to them, followed by their reply:</p><p><br /></p><p><b>To:</b> Cultural Property &lt;<a href="mailto:CULPROP@state.gov">CULPROP@state.gov</a>&gt;</p><p><b>Subject:</b> Help with repatriating Middle Eastern artifacts in private hands</p><p><br /></p><p>Hello,</p><p><br /></p><p>I participate in an online forum where we discuss and help identify a variety of antiques and artifacts. We occasionally have visitors seeking information on archeological objects that may have been looted, such as items from the Middle East. I would like to be able to refer them to an agency that might help with repatriating looted objects to their likely country of origin. Does the Cultural Antiquities Task Force have such a service?</p><p><br /></p><p>....................................................................................................................</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you for reaching out to the Cultural Heritage Center. The Cultural Antiquities Task Force does not conduct research on potentially looted items. </p><p><br /></p><p>However, our office is often asked about returning potentially stolen objects to their country of origin. We typically recommend that folks reach out directly to the country of origin - the consulate closest to you or directly to the Embassy - to alert them of the item and see if they would like the item back. If you don&#039;t know what country the item has come from, one can conduct desktop research or contact a museum with collections that focus on the region where you believe the item may be from to further identify what it is. Academics who specialize in a certain region may also be able to help you. </p><p><br /></p><p>Alternatively, you can download Interpol&#039;s Stolen Works of Art Database (<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.interpol.int%2FCrimes%2FCultural-heritage-crime%2FStolen-Works-of-Art-Database&amp;data=05%7C01%7CCULPROP%40state.gov%7Cbe9a708ebee043115b3e08db1030947b%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638121573048109533%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=JIAM%2FsfHv%2FKXmLTYARJrImvO%2BIIgxijBwrzaz%2FtDAco%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.interpol.int%2FCrimes%2FCultural-heritage-crime%2FStolen-Works-of-Art-Database&amp;data=05%7C01%7CCULPROP%40state.gov%7Cbe9a708ebee043115b3e08db1030947b%7C66cf50745afe48d1a691a12b2121f44b%7C0%7C0%7C638121573048109533%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=JIAM%2FsfHv%2FKXmLTYARJrImvO%2BIIgxijBwrzaz%2FtDAco%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow">Stolen Works of Art Database (interpol.int)</a>) and try to use the visual search feature to see if your item is listed. Unfortunately, every item that has been acquired and sold illicitly is not catalogued, but you can try. </p><p><br /></p><p>Best,</p><p><br /></p><p>Cultural Heritage Center Staff</p><p>Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs | U.S. Department of State</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-antiquities-task-force" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-antiquities-task-force" rel="nofollow">https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-antiquities-task-force</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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