Era of Despoilment: Looting in Cambodia (1970–2010)

By Cynthia Li

“Looting” is a broad term to describe the nuances of all incidents of loss of cultural property. For Cambodia, an outflux of cultural antiquities is due to internal and external forces. The anti-intellectual Khmer Rouge government, which sought to stifle Cambodian culture, profited off its looted antiquities. Externally, buyers from around the world took advantage of the Khmer Rouge's looting, snapping up timeless Cambodian antiquities.

This article will discuss the recent history of looting in Cambodia (1970–2010). It will describe a brief cultural and political history of Cambodia, the relevant cultural property laws, and the inner workings of transnational smuggling networks. It will also discuss the incentives of key players in the antiquities market, such as Douglas Latchford, who was indicted for his trafficking of Cambodian antiquities into the United States. Finally, the article will reflect on the significance of returning Khmer statues to their rightful home in the context of the Cambodian diaspora, and it provides social and political initiatives to redress past lootings and increase awareness of the rebirth of traditional culture in Cambodia.

A Brief History of Looting Cambodia