Cultural Heritage Sites and Their Looting and Destruction Through an Economics Lens

This study discusses a topic that is relatively understudied in economics: cultural heritage sites and their obliteration. While economics literature on culture, cultural practices, and cultural institutions is long-standing, overlooked is the role of heritage sites in developing countries and during periods of violent conflicts. Heritage sites during peace times turn into blood antiquities during violent conflicts and illicit excavations in one country end up garnishing museums in another. Covering a bird-eye’s view of these topics, the study also highlights prospects for future research and the unique opportunity they may provide for reconciliation in post-conflict countries