Archaeologist Hunts Illicit Antiquities in Auctions

Forensic archaeologist Christos Tsirogiannis is a leading figure in the fight against illicit antiquities trafficking, having identified over 1,700 items linked to criminal networks over nearly two decades. His meticulous work involves scrutinizing inventories of museums and auction houses, leading to the recent withdrawal of two artifacts from Bonhams due to suspicious provenance. Tsirogiannis collaborates closely with Italian and Greek authorities, leveraging extensive archives of trafficked goods to trace and recover stolen cultural heritage.

His efforts are crucial in bringing attention to an often-overlooked aspect of cultural heritage crime. The discovery of a detailed network map in 1995 significantly aided investigations into major traffickers like Giacomo Medici and Gianfranco Becchina. Tsirogiannis's discoveries have prompted other major auction houses, such as Christie's and the Kallos Gallery, to withdraw items from sale, underscoring the importance of robust provenance research.

Institutions are increasingly being called upon to proactively audit their collections for illicitly acquired items. The Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam is pioneering this approach, actively working with Tsirogiannis to identify and address items with questionable origins. This collaboration signals a growing institutional commitment to transparency and ethical practices in managing cultural heritage.