Crossing Continents Thursday, 3 August, 1102 BST Monday, 7 August, 2030 BST On Radio 4 and online Listen to the programme

Greece is littered with antiquities and archaeological sites.

But up to recently the Greeks - proud of their history - have mostly taken their rich heritage for granted or not had the money or the will to save it from decay or looting.

Now - and with a vengeance - the situation is changing. The Greeks are fighting to protect their past as never before.

In a series of dramatic raids and international appeals they have started to crack down hard, not just on smugglers but also on museums round the world which may, knowingly or not, have disputed treasures in their collections.

Rosie Goldsmith went on the Greek heritage trail as she tracked down the politicians, police and archaeologists pursuing the looters, as well as the smugglers and dealers trying to avoid them.

Presenter: Rosie Goldsmith
Producer: Rosy Voudouri
Web Producer: Nathalie Knowles
Editor: Maria Balinska