Documentation of artefacts essential to combat trafficking: CIDOC Chairperson Nicholas Crofts

NEW DELHI: Documentation of artefacts would help in combating illicit trafficking of antiques, an international expert noted today as he urged museums to publicise their objects of artistic and historical importance.

Speaking on the sidelines of inauguration of the annual conference of International Committee for Documentation ( CIDOC) here, its Chairperson Nicholas Crofts said artefacts which are documented cannot be smuggled easily.

"Sometimes, museums worry about publishing their objects on the web, thinking that some who get to know about them can steal it. But, that is not the thing. You could not possibly steal and sell the Mona Lisa (painting) today. If you are going to try smuggling and selling it... you cannot because everybody knows what it is," he said.

Drawing parallel between cross-border crimes like smuggling of drugs and illicit trafficking of artefacts, he said the Interpol has developed 'Object ID', which is like a passport giving brief description about the artefact such as its dimensions.

"If it can be recognised that an object going through the border is notified and certified, there is a chance of stopping it. Also, it is much more difficult to sell such an artefact in the black market," he observed.

Earlier, addressing the gathering at the conference, Union Culture Secretary Narendra Kumar Sinha said there was a growing realisation among people in India about the importance of museums.

"While museum in India is a colonial construct, there is a growing realisation, self-consciousness among the people about the importance of museums and of the need to preserve cultural traditions, alongside balancing the treasures of modern needs," he stated.

Initiatives have been taken in India to standardise museum documentation and integrate across institutions, Sinha added.