Who we are
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.
- Exposing Heritage Crimes
- Our History is Not for Sale
- Looted Heritage Under the Microscope
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Team member
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Client's review
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Completed projects
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Winning award
Meet Our Team Members
AMR AL-AZM
Amr Al-Azm is a founder and board member on The Day After project (TDA) and currently coordinates the Heritage Protection Initiative (HPI) for cultural heritage protection at the TDA. He serves as a Co-Director of the ATHAR Project.
Katie A. Paul
Katie A. Paul is an Anthropologist based in Washington, DC, and Co-Director of the ATHAR Project. Her work investigates the trafficking of cultural property and its connection to transnational crime and terrorism.
Lakshmi Venugopal Menon
Lakshmi Venugopal Menon is a doctoral candidate at the Gulf Studies Program, Qatar University. She was previously a Qatar History Instructor and a Research Associate at the National Institute of Advanced studies, Indian Institute of Sciences.
KHALED HIATLIH
Khaled Hiatlih is a Syrian archaeologist Based in the Hague. He is coordinating the 3D modeling project in Syria (IDA), Focus Raqqa Project and ASOR Heritage protection initiative and participating in other initiatives.
Stéphane Ipert
Stéphane Ipert is an art historian and trained conservator with a background in art law and crime. He served as the Director of the Heritage Library at Qatar National Library, where he developed expertise in combating the trafficking and facilitating the restitution of manuscripts and archives, with a particular focus on the MENA region and Central Asia.
Historical Background
When global conflicts leave physical borders unguarded, digital borders become the new frontier for organized crime. Over recent years, the illicit trade of antiquities has shifted from secret back-alley deals to open social media groups. Terrorist organizations and traffickers began weaponizing the very platforms designed to connect us, using them to auction off looted heritage from conflict zones. Recognizing this dangerous shift, the ATHAR Project was established as a crucial digital watchdog. We emerged from the urgent need to track these online black markets, hold tech giants accountable, and prevent the memory of nations from being sold to the highest bidder.
Digital Anthropology in Action
We combine traditional anthropological expertise with advanced digital investigation techniques. By infiltrating closed social media groups and tracking the digital footprints of smugglers, our team maps the complex networks of the illicit antiquities trade. We document the evidence, analyze the flow of artifacts, and share actionable intelligence with global authorities and the public.