Italy, a huge Open-air Museum: "Tombaroli" at Cerveteri and Tarquinia

Illicit trade of cultural goods is a world clandestine phenomenon. International art market is voracious and Italy is one of the most affected countries within Europe. Grave robbery has consequently been a prosperous occupation because many treasures remain still buried in the ground and seas of Italy. The Italian State however has recently developed an aggressive policy against illicit trafficking in antiquities, and both art theft and illegal excavations have greatly decreased. This paper argues that the main reason that Italy (along with Greece) is the nation most afflicted by looting is its connection with the European identity discourse, focused on the Greek and Roman past. Given the international context and the lack of funding in culture at the national level, this addresses local problems and citizen initiatives to make local people from Tarquinia and Cerveteri aware of the situation of their heritage, its defence, and its promotion at the local level.