Collections in perspective: the system of missing, recovered and returned objects of Minas Gerais as a tool to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural goods

Abstract

This article presents results obtained from the analysis of the Sistema de Objetos Mineiros Desaparecidos, Recuperados e Restituídos – SOMDAR, a tool implemented by the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais - MPMG, aimed at the recovery of collections or objects, considered as cultural assets due to their relevance, subtracted from institutions and/or private collections. A survey was carried out in three important databases, responsible for mapping missing and illegally traded objects: the International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods, linked to ICOM, the Object Identification and the Consultation of Missing Museum Goods, from the Brazilian Institute of Museums - IBRAM. The objective was to identify whether, and how, SOMDAR can be understood as a tool capable of identifying and combating the vulnerabilities of collections that are victims of criminal theft. The initial results point to the need for similar instruments to be disseminated in the other entities of the federation, given their potential to be an ally in the preservation of cultural assets, inside or outside collections, in addition to integrating civil society to help protect cultural heritage.