‘Archaeological looting and economic justice’, in P.M. Messenger and G.S. Smith (eds), Cultural Heritage Management, Policies and Issues in Global Perspective

Illegal and destructive trade of archaeological heritage is a well-documented phenomenon as described in this chapter. It leads to economic loss and cultural dislocation for the dispossessed communities and countries. Recent research has showed the economic value of archaeological heritage and has also emphasized stakeholders’ growing interests in it. Cultural tourism also sometimes exploits the economic value of archaeological heritage. The chapter investigates the economic value of archaeological heritage and also makes some suggestions to utilize the value for improving the present.