Episode 38: Tess Davis

You might think that COVID-19 has slowed everything to a near halt. That’s not the case with the looting of archaeological sites and proliferating sales of stolen objects online. For insight we turn to Tess Davis, Executive Director of The Antiquities Coalition, which battles cultural racketeering and the illicit trade in ancient art and artifacts. Founded by Deborah Lehr, who serves as Chairman of its Board of Directors, The Antiquities Coalition also seeks to improve law and policy, foster diplomatic cooperation, and advance proven solutions with public and private partners internationally. Tess Davis is a lawyer and archaeologist by training, and has been affiliated with the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, at the University of Glasgow, and previously worked for the nongovernmental organization Heritage Watch in Cambodia, first as Project Coordinator, and finally Assistant Director. We cover a lot of ground: How looters are taking advantage of sites left unmonitored during the pandemic, the illicit trade’s use of Facebook to fence stolen art, how U.S. law actually protects criminal conduct in the art market, the degree to which terrorist networks sponsor the looting and sale of artifacts, and a new program highlighting the “Ten Most Wanted Antiquities” worldwide.