The family of the late American pipeline billionaire George Lindemann will return 33 looted artifacts to Cambodia, as confirmed by the US Attorney’s Office. This move is seen as significant by Cambodia, which has been trying to recover stolen antiquities for years. The collection includes statues of deities, angels, and demons dating back to the 10th and 12th centuries from important Cambodian sites like Koh Ker and Angkor Wat. Cambodia’s archaeological heritage suffered extensive looting during civil conflicts from the 1960s to the 1990s, and the government has been seeking the return of these artifacts, some of which are believed to be in American museums.
The Lindemann family’s decision to return these artifacts was voluntary, and the family’s lawyers have not yet commented on the matter. These artifacts are expected to be repatriated later this year, and it is reported that the family paid over $20 million for them. The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in Cambodia has praised the Lindemann family’s decision, considering it a positive example for other museums and private collectors.
In recent years, the United States has been cooperating with Cambodia to repatriate stolen artifacts, having returned 27 in 2021 and 30 in the previous year, including some over 1,000 years old. However, challenges and legal issues have arisen, such as the indictment of art dealer Douglas Latchford in 2019 for selling looted Cambodian artifacts, which was dismissed after his death. Cambodia views these recovered antiquities as not just historical relics but as vital components of their cultural heritage, reflecting the identity and soul of the Khmer people.