The criminal trade in ancient objects - podcast episode cover

The criminal trade in ancient objects

Sep 25, 20257 min
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Summary

This episode explores the hidden world of criminal networks trafficking ancient artifacts, a problem significantly amplified by social media's ability to connect sellers with buyers globally. It delves into the historical context of looting and the definition of an 'artifact,' alongside the contentious issue of repatriation, where museums play a critical role in deciding whether to return objects to their countries of origin. The discussion also introduces useful vocabulary related to this fascinating topic.

Episode description

Many of us like to visit museums to see ancient artefacts in person – it's an exciting way to learn about the history and culture of different civilisations. But did you know that there are criminal networks which steal and trade these ancient objects? Neil and Beth discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.

Find a full transcript, worksheet and interactive quiz for this episode at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250925

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