Art Traffickers: Treasures Stolen from the Tombs

Through a combination of interviews and studio reconstructions, recount the gripping stories behind those who have excavated and stolen masterpieces.

Documentary

Seasons

1. The Euphronios Krater

Air Date: 2021-10-16

Ancient Greek artifact The Euphronios Krater was bought by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1972 but was thought to have been excavated illegally in Italy the year before. The ensuing investigation implicated American art dealer Robert Hecht and the Italian antiques dealer Giacomo Medici.

2. The Goddess of Morgantina

Air Date: 2021-10-16

In 1988, the Getty Museum in California acquired a statue depicting a Greek goddess for an eye-watering £18 million. However, with its dubious accompanying provenance, suspicions begin to arise that it is actually a stolen artifact, leading to an investigation that finds alleged links to organised crime.

3. The Capitoline Triad

Air Date: 2021-10-16

The Capitoline Triad is a unique sculpture that comprised the three Roman deities Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, and was discovered in the ancient Villa of Inviolata in 1992 by grave robbers. This episodes retraces the Italian military police's investigation, which led to them successfully retrieving it two years later in Switzerland.

4. The Vase of Asteas

Air Date: 2021-10-16

The remarkable story of how the Vase of Asteas was initially sold by the tomb robber who discovered it for a million lire and a pig, eventually finding its way to the Getty Museum in California, but how a chance car crash and a rogue Polaroid helped bring the unique artifact back to its place of origin.

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