The issue of damage to cultural heritage, as a rupture of the connection between a people’s identity and cultural belonging, has been highlighted for years but perhaps still receives too little attention. Yet it is continuously recognized how the “collateral” damage of armed conflicts often affects cultural sites such as archaeological sites (e.g., the Hellenistic Port of Anthedon), museums, and places of worship (e.g., the Great Omari Mosque).
In addition to the damage caused by “direct” destruction, we can also speak of “indirect” destruction, which includes looting, theft, and the illicit trafficking of artistic artifacts. This is a more than thriving market, where the majority of profits are used to fund the same war conflict or other criminal activities.
Combating the illicit trafficking of such artifacts requires specific expertise with interdisciplinary training, as these professionals must also be able to tackle issues such as counterfeiting or the introduction of actual “fakes” into the market.
In this regard, for years Art-Test has been part of the teaching faculty of the two-year advanced training school in “Judicial Archaeology® and Crimes Against Cultural Heritage.” Over the years, this school has established itself as a leader in specialized training, and the Centro per gli Studi Criminologici, Giuridici e Sociologici (CSC), to which this school belongs, is among the Cultural Institutes of the Ministry of Culture.
In addition to teaching at the school, Art-Test has also signed an agreement that allows students, upon request, to undertake specialized internships at our laboratories.
For more information and to register, please follow the link: bit.ly/4gnuDL4 (in Italian)
