Thousands of Looted Artifacts Returned to Cambodia and Thailand

University of Oregon professor and students work to repatriate over 1,000 artifacts to their home countries

Mar. 24, 2026 at 6:54am

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In 2019, Associate Professor Alison Carter of the University of Oregon received a collection of over 1,000 artifacts that a collector had purchased decades ago while working in Cambodia and Thailand. Many of these artifacts were looted from ancient burial sites. Carter and her students spent years cataloging, researching, and repatriating these artifacts back to Cambodia and Thailand, giving students hands-on experience in archaeology and cultural heritage preservation.

Why it matters

This repatriation effort helps to restore cultural heritage that was lost during periods of conflict and instability in Southeast Asia, particularly the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia. It also provides valuable learning opportunities for students to engage in the complex process of artifact repatriation and cultural heritage management.

The details

The collector, whose identity remains anonymous, arrived at the University of Oregon campus with a pickup truck full of hundreds of undocumented artifacts. Carter and her students spent time trying to piece together the history and origin of each item, collaborating closely with archaeologists and governments in Cambodia and Thailand. To date, Carter has returned over 700 items to Cambodia, but still has more Thai artifacts to repatriate. The process has been complex due to the lack of documentation and evolving laws around the export of antiquities.

  • In 2019, Associate Professor Alison Carter received the collection of artifacts from the anonymous collector.
  • From 2019 to the present, Carter and her students have been working to catalog, research, and repatriate the artifacts.
  • In 2020, Carter's research in Cambodia was paused for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Most recently, in 2026, Carter was the principal investigator and co-director of the P'teah Cambodia research program studying residential areas of the Angkorian society.

The players

Alison Carter

An associate professor of anthropology at the University of Oregon who has been leading the effort to repatriate the looted artifacts to Cambodia and Thailand.

Anonymous Collector

A collector living in Eugene, Oregon who purchased the artifacts decades ago while working in Cambodia and Thailand, and later decided to donate them to the University of Oregon.

Cambodian Archaeologists

Experts from Cambodia who have collaborated with Carter to help identify the origins and significance of the artifacts.

Cambodian Government

The government of Cambodia, which has worked with Carter to facilitate the repatriation of the artifacts to their home country.

University of Oregon Students

Undergraduate students who have gained hands-on experience in archaeology, documentation, research, and cultural heritage preservation through their work on this project.

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What they’re saying

“There was absolutely no way I could have done this work alone. The students were essential.”

— Alison Carter, Associate Professor, University of Oregon

“Returning artifacts takes more than a postage stamp and the wish for a good home. If the collector had taken repatriation in his own hands, the boxes of items would have likely sat in those countries' customs offices without vetted documentation.”

— Alison Carter, Associate Professor, University of Oregon

What’s next

Carter and her team will continue to work on cataloging and repatriating the remaining Thai artifacts in their possession. They will also collaborate with the Cambodian government and archaeologists to ensure the artifacts are properly cared for and displayed in their home countries.

The takeaway

This repatriation effort demonstrates the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the complex process involved in returning looted artifacts to their rightful owners. It also highlights the valuable learning opportunities for students to engage in meaningful work that has a direct impact on communities.