Part 14/15:
While progress has been made, challenges remain. Looters and traffickers continue their operations in hidden corners, and the legal and logistical hurdles to recover and repatriate artifacts are formidable. Many artifacts are in private collections, where provenance might remain obscure or contested.
Efforts to combat illicit trade are ongoing, and there is hope that increased awareness, stricter laws, and international cooperation will curb the flow of stolen cultural items. Education efforts aim to sensitize the public and collectors about the importance of provenance—and the ethical obligation to respect and preserve the cultural treasures of Southeast Asia.