Looted artifacts lose vital historical context, limiting their research value. This project reconstructs lost histories of Greek painted vases by combining warehouse records, stylistic comparison, landscape analysis, and cultural context. Treating artifacts like detective cases allows scholars to reintegrate looted objects into archaeology without legitimizing illegal trade.
The speaker’s archaeological research in Peru reveals that the Moche incorporated Algarrobo trees into human-sacrifice rituals, possibly viewing the tree as an ancestor. Linguistic evidence, myth, and burial patterns suggest deep spiritual ties between people, trees, and memory. The work challenges modern assumptions and reconstructs ancient worldviews.