About us

The Antiquities Trafficking and Heritage Anthropology Research (ATHAR) Project is an investigative study led by a collection of anthropologists and heritage experts digging into the digital underworld of transnational trafficking, terrorism financing, and organized crime. The ATHAR Project is a project of Achilles Research Group and a partner of UNESCO, The Day After Heritage Protection Initiative and is a proud partner and founding member of the Alliance to Counter Crime Online.

Athar (الآثار) is the Arabic word for antiquities, and whether it is referencing artifacts or ancient monuments, it’s used to describe a piece of the past – often one that is lost to trafficking.

ATHAR Project is proud top be part of a documentary that follows archaeologists and researchers in their fight to track trafficked antiquities throughout Syria’s civil war. Check the trail video.