Between Loss and Discovery: The Paradox of Looting in WWII Archaeology

Caleb N. Kestle1*, Ivan B. Cultura2, Gregg Alfonso G. Abbang2, John Monaghan1, Ame M. Garong2, Kendall Hills1, Michael Armand P. Canilao2, John Joseph E. Javier2, David Ried1, Andrew Kracinski1, and Cyrus Banikazemi1

Here, we take the position that the systematic destruction of archaeological sites, often referred to as looting, should be understood not only as a site formation process that obscures the object of archaeological analysis but as an archaeological behaviour that can elucidate the social conditions of the looters. We propose a typology centred on the looter’s goals, demonstrating that these behaviours produce distinct archaeological signatures. Our typology distinguishes between: Looting, the destruction of a site for objects that derive value from historicity; Salvage, the destruction of a site for raw materials; Scavenging, the opportunistic removal of already disturbed materials; and Demolition, the intentional erasure of a site. Using examples from mid-century Philippine archaeology (WWII era) and prehistory, we demonstrate how material signatures can indicate a looter’s intentions and how this framework has aided in the discovery of archaeological sites and the recovery of the missing. This discussion provides tools for reframing the recent depositional history of archaeological sites as an object of analysis.