U.S. Dept. of State Cooperative Agreement Number: SLY80019GR0016-M001

With support from the U.S. Embassy to Libya External Office (LEO), and in collaboration with our Libyan partners and colleagues, ASOR embarked on this report in order to provide a record of materials documented as stolen since the outbreak of the Revolution in 2011. The goals were:

1. To identify patterns in the illicit excavation and antiquities trade that continue despite the efforts of local authorities;
2. To identify ways in which additional efforts and resources (by both Libyan authorities and by international partners) might prevent and counter this trade.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction: Scope, Methodology, and Outline of Chapters

Chapter I—Historical Context: Overview of Libyan History and Culture

Chapter II: Legal Background and Application of Libyan Antiquities Law

Chapter III—Economic and Social Factors That Contribute to Theft and Looting

Chapter IV—Emerging Online Markets Facilitate and Support Illicit Trade

Chapter V—Documented Thefts from Libyan Collections, 2011–2020

Chapter VI—Response of Libyan Governmental Authorities and Civil Society

Chapter VII—Conclusions, Executive Summary, and Recommendations

Bibliography

Appendices A-J—Object Lists

Appendix K—Morgan Belzic: Sales and Seizures of Funeral Sculptures of Cyrenaica

Appendix L—Katie Paul, ATHAR Project: “Libyan Antiquities Trafficking on Facebook, December 2020.”