'This is a story about buried treasure': The 1970s tomb raiders who plundered 'million-dollar pots'

Key Points:

• In 1972, the Metropolitan Museum of Art purchased an ancient Greek vase for $1.2 million, considered one of the finest examples of ancient Greek pottery, but it was soon accused of being illegally excavated and smuggled into the US.
• A 1975 BBC investigation revealed a lucrative global trade in stolen antiquities, highlighting the role of Italian grave robbers and the challenges faced by authorities trying to control illegal excavations.
• Grave robbers used both rudimentary tools like metal probes and sophisticated electronic equipment to locate valuable artifacts, with gold items especially prized for easy smuggling and high resale value.
• Despite tightening laws and efforts to intercept illegal shipments, the demand from museums, auction houses, and private collectors for authentic antiquities fuels ongoing looting and smuggling activities.
• The Met eventually returned the vase to Italy in 2008 after its connection to a convicted antiquities smuggler was uncovered, but experts warn that as long as there is a market, the pillage of archaeological heritage continues.