An untold amount of Greek heritage has been lost to international smugglers over the years.

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

For BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents, Rosie Goldsmith has tracked down politicians, police and archaeologists, as well as the smugglers and dealers trying to avoid them.

If you would like to comment on any of the issues our programme or online feature raise you can do so using the online form below.

This is a heart-breaking problem. The artefacts in Greece's wonderful museums are the proof of its unequalled history and should remain in Greece for the world to visit. They make the history live. I am glad that there is more effort to curb the international theft of these treasures. Anyone who is guilty of stealing artefacts should be prosecuted regardless of their position.
Jeanette C. Rigopoulos, California, US

I spent most of my childhood in Greece and despite the pride the country has for its past, in my experience it is rare to see a single well-off home without an unregistered artefact. The country is filled to the brim with antiquities to the point that one can easily find amphoras and inscribed pieces of marble while swimming. Sadly this can all too often lead to the perception that antiquities are an abundant resource in Greece. Inevitably, the problem lies not only with greedy museums or ineffective government policies, but with the education of the population as a whole to demand better.
Loic Diels, Washington DC, US

As a Cypriot, it rips me apart to walk into a museum in the US and see stolen antiquities from Cyprus on prominent display.
Kyriacos, Cyprus

I cherish being able to see Greek things in Greece Si Baker, Maryland, US

Antiquities belong to the countries wherein they originated. Poor persons digging antiquities to obtain subsistence monies are less to blame than wealthy individuals and wealthy nations' museums: cut off the demand and the supply is supposed to shrink, yes? I cherish being able to see Greek things in Greece - not in New York or London or elsewhere. Shame on the ultimate collectors.
Si Baker, Maryland, US

For this to be combated a serious effort in historical pride needs to be addressed in schools and society in every country with historical riches. The great efforts that some Greeks have gone to are being undermined by others. Having spent a year in Greece I was amazed at the amount of artefacts continually unearthed throughout the countryside. Its cataloguing and care is a monumentous and expensive task. Yet Ii was disappointed at the lack of many (not all) Greeks' interest in their own heritage. I encourage all Greeks to protect what they can. You have the most influential if not the greatest history on earth, don't let it slip away for the next generations of Greeks and the world.
Stan, Melbourne, Australia

Unfortunately, this problem will likely never decrease any time soon. There are far too many sites for Greece or any of the other relic-laden countries mentioned to patrol or police.

I discovered a remote room deep in a cave on Crete. The room contained full idols and undamaged urns of tribute Michael, Dayton

When living in Greece in the late 1980s, I remember one roadside site with no curators or guards. At this site, you could literally kick the sand and churn up pieces of pottery and urns; they were everywhere, and no one could prevent you taking them. Also, I discovered a remote room deep in a cave on Crete. The room contained full idols and unblemished/undamaged urns of tribute. We marked and mapped the room, then reported it to the antiquities office in Iraklion. They thanked us, but said it would likely be years before they could examine the room. They simply had too many other sites to explore.
Michael, Dayton, OH, US

I read your article with much enthusiasm. But everything is a vicious cycle. The police do not arrest anyone. Sometimes, they want to show work and due to that, arrests are made just for people's eyes... this is happening all the time here. People know and people laugh! This, of course, doesn't apply to everyone, but I wanted to tell you that is happening more than you can imagine.
Mylonas Stylianos, Thessaloniki

The museums are too greedy to help. If you want to stop this looting start with the top men of your society.
Amos Nelly, Nigeria

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