Study Illicit Antiquities Trafficking and attend this year’s Amelia Conference 19-26 June 2026 in Italy

Recognising the enduring challenges of illicit trafficking and the complex pathways required to achieve restitution, the Association for Research into Crimes against Art (ARCA) is offering a foundational professional development course in conjunction with its annual Amelia Art Crime Conference.

Conflict, Demand, and Cultural Loss: Rethinking “Blood Antiquities” in a Global Context

Conference + Course Dates: June 19 – 26, 2026
Location: Amelia, Italy

Scheduled for  June 22 – 26, 2026 this 5-day course has been meticulously crafted to cater to a variety of participants from diverse backgrounds, allowing individuals who can’t stay for the whole summer, the chance to participate in one of our courses.

Course Location: Amelia, Italy

This fast-paced 25-hour course provides a critical and interdisciplinary examination of the global antiquities trade through the intersecting lenses of conflict, demand, supply chains, and cultural loss. Designed to appeal to legal professionals, archaeologists, art historians, museum practitioners, and researchers interested in the study of illicit antiquities trafficking, the course explores how cultural objects are displaced, trafficked, and ultimately integrated into the international art market.

Drawing on real-world case studies, participants will explore how illicit objects move from vulnerable archaeological contexts into circulation, and why existing legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks struggle to prevent the illicit trade. Through guided examination of evidence, investigative methodologies, and enforcement strategies, participants will gain practical insight into trafficking patterns and the roles played by dealers, collectors, institutions, and intermediaries.

The course combines structured lectures with interactive discussions, encouraging participants to critically engage with the ethical, legal, and political dimensions of cultural property crime. Particular emphasis will be placed on the evolving role of trafficking research and will serve to challenge assumptions and deepen an individuals understanding of one of the most persistent threats to cultural heritage.

This integrated 7-day course and conference experience begins with admission to ARCA’s annual Amelia Conference held on the weekend of June 19-21, 2026, where, over the course of one weekend course attendees can explore the indispensable role of detection, crime prevention, and scholarly and criminal justice responses in combatting all forms of crime related to art and the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

Over the course of the conference weekend, participants will engage with leading practitioners, scholars, and investigators examining contemporary issues in art crime, including detection strategies, legal frameworks, financial investigations, and international cooperation.

Following the conference, participants will undertake the five-day course, allowing for immediate application and deeper exploration of some of the themes introduced during the conference sessions.

This course has several aims:

• Develop practical approaches to provenance research and ownership reconstruction

• Analyse interdisciplinary investigative methods used to trace illicitly trafficked objects

• Assess legal, ethical, and diplomatic mechanisms for restitution and recovery

• Understand the structural drivers sustaining the global antiquities market

Profile of Attendees
With a consistent emphasis on an interdisciplinary and comparative approach, this illicit trafficking course is suggested for:

• Legal professionals and investigators

• Archaeologists and heritage specialists

• Museum and cultural institution staff

• Art historians and researchers

• Policy makers and cultural heritage advocates

• Professionals seeking a foundational understanding of antiquities trafficking

• Anyone who wants to also explore and discuss the very praxis of antiquities trafficking.

Course Registration Fee: €990**
This tuition fee covers twenty-five hours of interactive course lectures, two catered networking events, a bound and embossed professional development course completion certificate, and free advance registration and admission to ARCA’s annual Amelia Conference (a €170 value). Please note that lodging, airfare to/from Italy, daily meals, living expenses during the course and conference as well as transportation to/from Amelia are not included in this course package.

Instructor Profile:
This course is taught by Dr. Samer Abdel Ghafour, a specialist in the illicit trafficking of cultural property, with professional experience spanning investigation, research, and policy analysis related to the movement of antiquities across international markets. His work focuses on identifying trafficking networks, and examining the legal and structural challenges that enable the circulation of looted cultural objects. Drawing on case-based research and interdisciplinary methodologies, he has contributed to discussions on restitution, due diligence, and the impact of conflict in the illicit antiquities trade.

Deadlines

01 June 2026 – Deadline to Register for Course

12 June 2026 – Course+Conference Fee Due

Course Census Size:
Maximum: 20 participants
Minimum: Please note that enrolment minimums have been established for this course. Should enrolment for this course fall short of the prescribed minimum, this course may be subject to cancellation.

**No course fees will be invoiced until the launch threshold has been achieved.

To register for this course or to ask questions about the course+conference package, please contact us at: programmes (at) artcrimeresearch.org