ISIL AND THE ILLEGAL ANTIQUITIES TRADE

Abstract

This thesis examines the involvement of the terrorist organization the Islamic State (ISIL) in the global illegal antiquities trade. Specifically, it focuses on its ideology and organization, as well the impact of illegal antiquities on global markets. I argue that ISIL’s professed ideology is primarily for propaganda purposes and its public and that they are regular participants in a global, fluid antiquities trade network. This allows for looted antiquities to develop a “legitimate” provenance, eventually permeate legitimate markets and accounts for the perceived lack of Syrian antiquities on the market currently.