Trade in antiquities between prohibition and restriction Legal study

Abstract

Multiple forms of antiquities trading can be envisaged, the most important of which is the purchase of artifacts for resale, the management of exploration activities and the trading of what is found, or by leasing archaeological sites. These actions impose grave dangers on the cultural heritage of the nation, especially in times of war. For this reason, trading is -in principle- prohibited according to the internal law and the international agreements.

On the other hand, it is noted that the law criminalizes trade in antiquities only as a general principle, including some exceptions that allow the Antiquities Authority to authorize individuals to own and trade antiquities, or to authorize them to rent archaeological sites in order to establish activities on them.

Thus, I will study in this research the problems raised by the law in the field of antiquities trading, in two paragraphs: the legal nature of antiquities, and the restrictions imposed on the trade in antiquities.