ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book looks at the current state of the trade in looted antiquities from Iraq and Syria, the role of new technologies that make it easier for terrorists and criminal groups to profit and new ways to track and disrupt terrorist involvement in the trade. It discusses both the importance of legal expertise in advising potential purchasers on avoidance of the purchase of potentially trafficked antiquities as well as the role of lawyers in advising the preparation of cases for the courts of antiquities smuggling. The book also discusses important steps to be taken for the correct documentation and preservation of ancient Near Eastern material culture. It outlines the development of antiquities trafficking in Turkey across two distinct periods, the earlier period from the 1990s to 2000 and the more recent period spanning from 2000 to the present.
