How the Penn Museum pioneered the global fight against the illicit antiquities trade
In short: In 1970, the Penn Museum fundamentally changed its acquisition policy to combat the looting of cultural heritage. This video features Dr. Richard Leventhal and Dr. C. Brian Rose explaining the history and significance of the Pennsylvania Declaration, a landmark commitment that set a new standard for museums worldwide.
Before 1970, the trade in looted antiquities often stripped artifacts from their archaeological context, causing irreparable damage to historical knowledge. By signing the Pennsylvania Declaration in April 1970, the Penn Museum formally pledged to stop acquiring items that were illegally exported from their countries of origin.
This decision established the institution as a leader in preserving global heritage. Dr. Richard Leventhal, who founded the Penn Cultural Heritage Center, and Dr. C. Brian Rose, the Curator-in-Charge of the Mediterranean Section, provide the essential context behind this policy shift and its enduring impact on how museums manage their collections today.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Antiquities and Museum Acquisitions: Penn Museum Leading the Way
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