Archaeological looting is not a game!

The PITCHER project (Erasmus+ Programme, 2021-2024) designed and tested a set of Open Educational Resources focused on improving the capacity of teachers and educators in preparing new learning experiences to support the fight against archaeological looting and illicit trafficking of cultural goods.

This educational resource addresses the growing issue of young people using metal detectors, particularly those designed as toys. It explains to to middle and high school students the consequences of archaeological looting, especially the loss of information resulting from the separation of an artifact from its context, and why there are strict regulations governing the use of metal detectors and archaeological operations. It also highlights how this looting is part of the broader phenomenon of illicit trafficking in cultural goods, which funds organized crime and terrorism, and harms the development potential of many countries.

The resource comprises six activities that utilize various media (texts, maps, photographs, videos, 3D models...) and offer a wide range of exercises that make learning easy and engaging, especially through the online versions of the first two activities (currently available only in French, with English and Italian versions planned for mid-2025).