Dealing with Illicit Trade in Cultural Objects in the Context of Cultural Heritage Management for Museums

Abstract

Cultural Heritage Management (CHM) is the main vehicle for helping museums to face challenges, secure sustainable competitiveness, and redefine themselves in a constantly changing world. In this context, CHM can support museums in their efforts to play a vital role in fighting the illicit trafficking of cultural property. This article focuses on how museums can benefit from the various advantages offered by CHM, specifically with respect to the fight against the illicit trade of cultural property and its return and restitution to its countries of origin. In this light, it deals with both proactive and repressive policies, discussing how museums can maintain their credibility and ensure that they operate in accordance with high legal and ethical standards. Finally, the article discusses how museums and countries have dealt with return and restitution claims in recent years. In this context the use of cutting-edge technologies, such as 3D printing, is also discussed. This work derives from the research project “Redefining the future of cultural heritage, through a disruptive model of sustainability” (ReInHerit), which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.