About us

Illicit Antiquities
Research Centre
 against the theft & traffic
 of archaeology

Our work

People

What we do

What we don't do

Opportunities

Our Work

The Illicit Antiquities Research Centre (IARC) was established in May 1996, under the then directorship of Professor Colin Renfrew, at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge, England.  It commenced operations in October 1997.  We regret to announce that we will be closing at the end of September 2007.

The purpose of the IARC is to monitor and report upon the damage caused to cultural heritage by the international trade in illicit antiquities (ie. antiquities which have been stolen or clandestinely excavated and/or illegally exported).

The enormous increase in the volume of this trade over the past twenty years has caused the large-scale plundering of archaeological sites and museums around the world.

At the IARC, we raise public awareness of the problems cause by this trade and seek appropriate national and international legislation, codes of conduct and other conventions to place restraint upon it.

People

Neil Brodie, Research Director  

Jenny Doole, Research Associate  

Peter Watson, Research Associate   email via Jenny Doole

Colin Renfrew (Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn), Fellow of the McDonald Institute
Contact des25@cam.ac.uk
(Based at the McDonald Institute )

Postgraduate research students

What we do

As part of a university department we:

  • collate and publish data on the illicit trade (usually in the form of academic output).
  • lecture at conferences and relevant institutions.
  • maintain archives of news cuttings and a small, specialist library.
  • teach and advise MPhil and PhD students at the Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge.
  • help researchers and authorities with specific illicit antiquities enquiries.
  • liaise with relevant NGOs, officials, individuals and pressure groups.
  • sit on government and advisory committees relating to illicit trade in antiquities.

What we don't do

  • We do not value antiquities.
  • We do not authenticate antiquities.
  • We do not advise on the sale of antiquities.
  • We do not maintain a database of stolen antiquities.
  • We do not acquire or own any illicit antiquities.

Opportunities

We regret that we cannot offer work experience placements or internships at the IARC.

We regret that, due to our imminent closure we will no longer be able to to help individuals or organisations into research into the trade in illicit antiquities or arrange access to our library and news cuttings collection, which is currently being packed.

Students who wish to embark on postgraduate research must do so through the Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge.

If you would like to help us in our work then please send us news and photographs about illicit trade issues.

Last updated June 2007