Policy, Governance, and Compliance: Illicit Cultural Heritage Artefacts and the Construction of Value

This chapter explores how compliance with cultural heritage acts and regulations can lead to unintended outcomes when cultural artefacts encounter actors with different motives and intentions. The chapter examines two recent cases in Norway involving the seizure of pre-Columbian objects from Peru, which resulted in completely different outcomes. When law enforcement discovers illicit cultural heritage artefacts, they typically follow a set of regulations and guidelines outlined in national legislation and international conventions. The responsible actors are identified through heritage acts and best practices, and they usually express a strong willingness to comply with the regulations. However, informal structures and policy networks often influence how cultural heritage objects are handled, leading to varying interpretations and applications of the regulations. The value and significance of cultural heritage artefacts are determined by the choices and interests of different actors involved. The chapter discusses the complex network of influences that shape the perception of cultural heritage, including its use as diplomatic and political currency. The cases are analysed within the conceptual framework of heritage diplomacy and authorizing heritage discourse.