0207/2014
Newresearch on Cambodia has shown the country's rich
cultural heritage has been repeatedly plundered by military and
organised crime.
Thirty-five years of looting has taken its toll,
with thousands of statues and other artefacts shipped across the border
to Thailand, before disappearing into museums and private collections
around the world. But occasionally, there is good news.
In the past year, five life-sized statues have been returned to Cambodia.
Experts have been restoring the statues to go on display at the National Museum of Cambodia later this year.
Three of the 1,000-year-old statues came back from the United States just a few weeks ago while the other two were returned last year.
Museum director Kong Vireak says it's a big job restoring the statues.
"We have three conservation workshops," he told Asia Pacific.
"We have a stone conservation workshop, we have a metal conservation workshop, and a ceramic conservation workshop.
"For the stone conservation workshop we have five staff… (they) are very skilled."
University of Glasgow study
For 1,000 years, these five statues stood undisturbed in their 10th century temple in north-western Cambodia, a time when the country was the region's dominant political and military power.But in the early 1970s, as the civil war raged between the US-backed government in Phnom Penh and Pol Pot's communist Khmer Rouge movement, the statues were hacked from their pedestals and taken across the border to Thailand.
Those years marked the start of decades of rampant theft of Cambodian antiquities.
No one knows how many items have been looted since then.
American lawyer and archaeologist Tess Davis says the number is certainly in the thousands, and likely far higher.
Ms Davis is one of a group of scholars and researchers who conducted a University of Glasgow study that tracked the plundering of Cambodia's temples between 1970 and 2005.
Speaking to looters, middlemen and others, the researchers revealed the links in the chain between the looted sites and the Bangkok-based dealer who laundered the pieces and sold them on to private collectors and museums around the world.
Ms Davis says the study undid the assumption that the looting was the small-scale work of local villagers.
Instead, they found it was well planned, and often involved the armed forces and organised crime.
"The organised looting and trafficking of Cambodian antiquities was tied very closely to the Cambodian civil war and to organised crime in the country," Ms Davis said.
"It began with the war, but it long outlived it, and was actually a very complicated operation, a very organised operation, that brought antiquities directly from looted sites here in the country to the very top collectors, museums and auction houses in the world."
Protection a tough job
Heng Sophady is the deputy director-general of the cultural heritage department at Cambodia's ministry of culture.It's his job to protect the country's 4,000 archaeological and historical sites - a near-impossible task.
"(It's) not the duty of one ministry, it's not the duty of one nation, it's not the duty of one group - but it's the duty for all people, for everybody," Mr Sophady said.
He says the long-term solution involves educating Cambodia's children about the value of their heritage.
Meantime, officials are documenting all of the objects and archaeological sites that remain.
"Most of the objects that were stolen, we did not have record, we don't have inventory," Mr Sophady said.
"So those objects disappear from the country without records."
Much of the looting at Cambodia's historic sites has stopped, partly due to better security and partly because there's little left to steal.
But new sites will be discovered in the coming years, and they will be at risk.
Although many people regard antiquities theft and smuggling as a largely victimless, white-collar crime, the University of Glasgow's study shows that is not the case.
Such operations are often well organised and conducted violently, as seen most recently in Syria, Iraq and Mali, where some armed groups are thought to use the proceeds to finance their operations.
"The money that collectors in New York are spending on antiquities from around the world is going into the pockets of some very bad people - and I think the art world needs to step up and recognise their role in what's happening in these countries," Ms Davis said.
"The international law enforcement community and especially the art market itself need to work together to make sure that Cambodia's tragedy isn't repeated again and again and again - because right now it is being repeated."
Rosie
Huntington-Whiteley Q&A: Actress talks Mad Max, visiting Cambodia,
and why breakfast has to be green - See more at:
http://www.independent.ie/style/fashion/rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-qa-actress-talks-mad-max-visiting-cambodia-and-why-breakfast-has-to-be-green-30404689.html#sthash.QAYRLmZL.dpuf
Rosie
Huntington-Whiteley Q&A: Actress talks Mad Max, visiting Cambodia,
and why breakfast has to be green - See more at:
http://www.independent.ie/style/fashion/rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-qa-actress-talks-mad-max-visiting-cambodia-and-why-breakfast-has-to-be-green-30404689.html#sthash.QAYRLmZL.dpufSimon Usborne finds out what makes the model, actress and designer tick.
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What are you looking at?
I'm at home in LA this morning, and I'm sat in the office looking into my kitchen and out into my garden where my beautiful dogs are playing.
Is it like this every day?
advertisement
I don't have a routine to life, which is exciting but exhausting. In one week I went to Berlin, London, New York, Shanghai, and back to LA. That's a lot of planes and hotel rooms, which can be lonely.
When I'm at home it's important to be grounded. Today I got up and got the dogs up, made breakfast, then I had a few phone interviews to do, emails to return. It's the other side of my job, when I'm not on camera.
You spend a lot of time on your own camera. How big's Instagram for you?
01 of 6
Previous
Next
It's a branch of my work. For a long time I shied away from social media, but the last couple of years I've become more comfortable in my own skin.
I enjoy giving people a peek inside my life in a controlled way, away from paps or tabloid rumours.
But doesn't that feed the machine?
For sure, but it's strategic. At least this way I can put up pictures that mean something to me instead of the dreadful ones you don't want out there.
Is Transformers a dirty word in your house?
No, not at all! I worked really hard on that film and it took a beating but it was also one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. I still get fan mail about it. And I knew what was going to come with me, a Victoria's Secret Angel, going into a film directed by Michael Bay.
There was no way I was going to win with critics, but I saw it as an opportunity.
But that's it for acting, right?
No, my next film is coming out next year. Mad Max: Fury Road. Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are the leads, but I have a nice part. I loved the old Mad Max films.
Tell me about Cambodia.
At the beginning of every year, I make goals, and this year I felt strongly I wanted to get involved with a charity.
Unicef approached me that very day. My team got an email saying they'd like me to go to Phnom Penh to support Soccer Aid. It felt like fate.
Do you feel that you're under pressure to do charity work?
I don't know about pressure but I feel I've lived a blessed life and it makes you want to do something with meaning that can make a difference. I went with no expectation but the trip was so eye-opening and incredibly humbling.
What did you do?
I got to meet a lovely family and hang out with them for a couple of days in a slum, which was quite shocking. For once in my life I was speechless and didn't know how to digest what I was seeing.
I heard you like 'green juice'. What's that then?
I make one every morning and try to have them in hotels. I put in quite a few sprigs of kale and spinach, apples and celery – anything green. Cucumber...
Sounds horrible!
Trust me, you'd be surprised. You put in the right amount of everything and it's delicious.
- See more at: http://www.independent.ie/style/fashion/rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-qa-actress-talks-mad-max-visiting-cambodia-and-why-breakfast-has-to-be-green-30404689.html#sthash.QAYRLmZL.dpufSimon Usborne finds out what makes the model, actress and designer tick.
Laubman&Pank – Eye Test
We Care About You & Your Eyes Book An Appointment With Us Online.
www.laubmanandpank.com.au
20 Free Clips a Day
Free Downloadable Stock Clips. Over 115,000 Clips Available.
videoblocks.com
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Share
Go To
What are you looking at?
I'm at home in LA this morning, and I'm sat in the office looking into my kitchen and out into my garden where my beautiful dogs are playing.
Is it like this every day?
advertisement
I don't have a routine to life, which is exciting but exhausting. In one week I went to Berlin, London, New York, Shanghai, and back to LA. That's a lot of planes and hotel rooms, which can be lonely.
When I'm at home it's important to be grounded. Today I got up and got the dogs up, made breakfast, then I had a few phone interviews to do, emails to return. It's the other side of my job, when I'm not on camera.
You spend a lot of time on your own camera. How big's Instagram for you?
01 of 6
Previous
Next
It's a branch of my work. For a long time I shied away from social media, but the last couple of years I've become more comfortable in my own skin.
I enjoy giving people a peek inside my life in a controlled way, away from paps or tabloid rumours.
But doesn't that feed the machine?
For sure, but it's strategic. At least this way I can put up pictures that mean something to me instead of the dreadful ones you don't want out there.
Is Transformers a dirty word in your house?
No, not at all! I worked really hard on that film and it took a beating but it was also one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. I still get fan mail about it. And I knew what was going to come with me, a Victoria's Secret Angel, going into a film directed by Michael Bay.
There was no way I was going to win with critics, but I saw it as an opportunity.
But that's it for acting, right?
No, my next film is coming out next year. Mad Max: Fury Road. Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are the leads, but I have a nice part. I loved the old Mad Max films.
Tell me about Cambodia.
At the beginning of every year, I make goals, and this year I felt strongly I wanted to get involved with a charity.
Unicef approached me that very day. My team got an email saying they'd like me to go to Phnom Penh to support Soccer Aid. It felt like fate.
Do you feel that you're under pressure to do charity work?
I don't know about pressure but I feel I've lived a blessed life and it makes you want to do something with meaning that can make a difference. I went with no expectation but the trip was so eye-opening and incredibly humbling.
What did you do?
I got to meet a lovely family and hang out with them for a couple of days in a slum, which was quite shocking. For once in my life I was speechless and didn't know how to digest what I was seeing.
I heard you like 'green juice'. What's that then?
I make one every morning and try to have them in hotels. I put in quite a few sprigs of kale and spinach, apples and celery – anything green. Cucumber...
Sounds horrible!
Trust me, you'd be surprised. You put in the right amount of everything and it's delicious.
- See more at: http://www.independent.ie/style/fashion/rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-qa-actress-talks-mad-max-visiting-cambodia-and-why-breakfast-has-to-be-green-30404689.html#sthash.QAYRLmZL.dpuf
Laubman&Pank – Eye Test
We Care About You & Your Eyes Book An Appointment With Us Online.
www.laubmanandpank.com.au
20 Free Clips a Day
Free Downloadable Stock Clips. Over 115,000 Clips Available.
videoblocks.com
Ads by Google
Share
Go To
What are you looking at?
I'm at home in LA this morning, and I'm sat in the office looking into my kitchen and out into my garden where my beautiful dogs are playing.
Is it like this every day?
advertisement
I don't have a routine to life, which is exciting but exhausting. In one week I went to Berlin, London, New York, Shanghai, and back to LA. That's a lot of planes and hotel rooms, which can be lonely.
When I'm at home it's important to be grounded. Today I got up and got the dogs up, made breakfast, then I had a few phone interviews to do, emails to return. It's the other side of my job, when I'm not on camera.
You spend a lot of time on your own camera. How big's Instagram for you?
01 of 6
Previous
Next
It's a branch of my work. For a long time I shied away from social media, but the last couple of years I've become more comfortable in my own skin.
I enjoy giving people a peek inside my life in a controlled way, away from paps or tabloid rumours.
But doesn't that feed the machine?
For sure, but it's strategic. At least this way I can put up pictures that mean something to me instead of the dreadful ones you don't want out there.
Is Transformers a dirty word in your house?
No, not at all! I worked really hard on that film and it took a beating but it was also one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. I still get fan mail about it. And I knew what was going to come with me, a Victoria's Secret Angel, going into a film directed by Michael Bay.
There was no way I was going to win with critics, but I saw it as an opportunity.
But that's it for acting, right?
No, my next film is coming out next year. Mad Max: Fury Road. Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are the leads, but I have a nice part. I loved the old Mad Max films.
Tell me about Cambodia.
At the beginning of every year, I make goals, and this year I felt strongly I wanted to get involved with a charity.
Unicef approached me that very day. My team got an email saying they'd like me to go to Phnom Penh to support Soccer Aid. It felt like fate.
Do you feel that you're under pressure to do charity work?
I don't know about pressure but I feel I've lived a blessed life and it makes you want to do something with meaning that can make a difference. I went with no expectation but the trip was so eye-opening and incredibly humbling.
What did you do?
I got to meet a lovely family and hang out with them for a couple of days in a slum, which was quite shocking. For once in my life I was speechless and didn't know how to digest what I was seeing.
I heard you like 'green juice'. What's that then?
I make one every morning and try to have them in hotels. I put in quite a few sprigs of kale and spinach, apples and celery – anything green. Cucumber...
Sounds horrible!
Trust me, you'd be surprised. You put in the right amount of everything and it's delicious.
- See more at: http://www.independent.ie/style/fashion/rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-qa-actress-talks-mad-max-visiting-cambodia-and-why-breakfast-has-to-be-green-30404689.html#sthash.QAYRLmZL.dpufSimon Usborne finds out what makes the model, actress and designer tick.
Laubman&Pank – Eye Test
We Care About You & Your Eyes Book An Appointment With Us Online.
www.laubmanandpank.com.au
20 Free Clips a Day
Free Downloadable Stock Clips. Over 115,000 Clips Available.
videoblocks.com
Ads by Google
Share
Go To
What are you looking at?
I'm at home in LA this morning, and I'm sat in the office looking into my kitchen and out into my garden where my beautiful dogs are playing.
Is it like this every day?
advertisement
I don't have a routine to life, which is exciting but exhausting. In one week I went to Berlin, London, New York, Shanghai, and back to LA. That's a lot of planes and hotel rooms, which can be lonely.
When I'm at home it's important to be grounded. Today I got up and got the dogs up, made breakfast, then I had a few phone interviews to do, emails to return. It's the other side of my job, when I'm not on camera.
You spend a lot of time on your own camera. How big's Instagram for you?
01 of 6
Previous
Next
It's a branch of my work. For a long time I shied away from social media, but the last couple of years I've become more comfortable in my own skin.
I enjoy giving people a peek inside my life in a controlled way, away from paps or tabloid rumours.
But doesn't that feed the machine?
For sure, but it's strategic. At least this way I can put up pictures that mean something to me instead of the dreadful ones you don't want out there.
Is Transformers a dirty word in your house?
No, not at all! I worked really hard on that film and it took a beating but it was also one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. I still get fan mail about it. And I knew what was going to come with me, a Victoria's Secret Angel, going into a film directed by Michael Bay.
There was no way I was going to win with critics, but I saw it as an opportunity.
But that's it for acting, right?
No, my next film is coming out next year. Mad Max: Fury Road. Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are the leads, but I have a nice part. I loved the old Mad Max films.
Tell me about Cambodia.
At the beginning of every year, I make goals, and this year I felt strongly I wanted to get involved with a charity.
Unicef approached me that very day. My team got an email saying they'd like me to go to Phnom Penh to support Soccer Aid. It felt like fate.
Do you feel that you're under pressure to do charity work?
I don't know about pressure but I feel I've lived a blessed life and it makes you want to do something with meaning that can make a difference. I went with no expectation but the trip was so eye-opening and incredibly humbling.
What did you do?
I got to meet a lovely family and hang out with them for a couple of days in a slum, which was quite shocking. For once in my life I was speechless and didn't know how to digest what I was seeing.
I heard you like 'green juice'. What's that then?
I make one every morning and try to have them in hotels. I put in quite a few sprigs of kale and spinach, apples and celery – anything green. Cucumber...
Sounds horrible!
Trust me, you'd be surprised. You put in the right amount of everything and it's delicious.
- See more at: http://www.independent.ie/style/fashion/rosie-huntingtonwhiteley-qa-actress-talks-mad-max-visiting-cambodia-and-why-breakfast-has-to-be-green-30404689.html#sthash.QAYRLmZL.dpuf
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