Threads of Heritage. Down the Rabbit Hole of Art Crime – Film screening and panel discussion

Threads of Heritage. Down the Rabbit Hole of Art Crime (2025) is a documentary that takes the viewer into a long-running criminal investigation into a criminal network that illegally looted archaeological objects from Italian soil, then exported them from the country without permission to sell them on the international art market. The case revealed in the documentary also has links to the Allard Pierson, where intensive research is being conducted since 2023 to critically re-examine the provenance of the archaeological collections. This documentary presents the Italian perspective on the matter from the point of view of law enforcement, government, and museums, and offers insight into the technological innovations developed within the European project RITHMS to better protect cultural heritage against looting.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion examining the challenges of protecting artistic and archaeological heritage, the role of provenance research, and the latest technological innovations developed to combat the illegal trade in cultural property.

Speakers:

• Rogier Kalkers, Head of Provenance Research, Allard Pierson Museum
• Arianna Traviglia, Coordinator of the Centre for Cultural Heritage Technology (CCHT), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT)

The event will provide an opportunity to reflect on the importance of international cooperation among cultural institutions, scientific research organizations, and law enforcement agencies in safeguarding our shared cultural heritage.

Free admission. Registration is required at the following link:

https://www.allardpierson.nl/en/aanmelden-filmvertoning-threats-of-heritage

More information about the event program:

https://www.allardpierson.nl/en/calendar/filmvertoning-18-06-threats-of-heritage