Adventure Archaeology Documentary

Among Thieves

An archaeologist’s journey deep into the remote wilderness of northwestern China in search of long-lost ancient tombs leads to the discovery of a ruthless tomb raiding operation.
He infiltrates the black market unraveling a network of corrupt dealers and complicit museums to protect a priceless treasure.

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The Film

Looting, trafficking, and the collection of stolen artifactsis devastating cultural heritage around the world. Yet vested interests and powerful actors keep this black market secret.Gino and Trevor go undercover using cutting edge covert filming equipment to track the black market of antiquities up the supply chain to its highest levels, exposing a lucrative trade in national treasures.From the looting pits of northwestern China to the back alley traders of Hong Kong, to the top museums and collectors around the world, this story uncovers an unseen world of stolen history.

Destruction of heritage

The Issue

The looting and destruction of archaeological sites is a global issue that destroys our shared heritage. Cultures known from only a limited number of sites are especially vulnerable, as each loss significantly impacts our understanding. In recent years, the problem has intensified due to growing demand and a corresponding surge in market prices. Yet despite this escalation, little is known about the illegal trade in antiquities or the underlying structures and dynamics of the black market. A broad public with a strong interest in archaeology often remains unaware of the critical differences between grave robbing and legitimate archaeological research - an issue compounded by popular portrayals that lack nuance.

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creative team

Production: Gino Caspari, Trevor Wallace
Direction: Trevor Wallace, Gino Caspari
Writing: Gino Caspari, Trevor Wallace
Cinematography & Editing: Trevor Wallace
Original Score: Alexander Liebermann

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