Cambodia tracking down thousands of priceless looted antiquities | 60 Minutes

Looters stole thousands of priceless artifacts from religious sites across Cambodia. An American lawyer is working with the country to bring them home.
#news #cambodia #artifacts
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[@williamhartz8707]

After watching this program viewing antiquities in museums will never be the same.

[@rmwtsou]

Everything should be returned to the original owners? But they are long dead! So I guess rebury them?

[@sukikom2259]

​@rmwtsou No, Cambodia as a country is the rightful owner, and it's not dead!!!

[@Spiritlife01]

​@@rmwtsouThe temples are standing and the ancestors alive.

[@Ultimaton100]

Not all artifacts on display in museums are stolen. Many have been donated or purchased legitimately.

[@voulathomacos-lagonas8445]

​@@rmwtsouWRONG .....they're the CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN THE ... LOOTED . PARTHENON MARBLES AND THE KARIATITHA

[@kasperx336]

I’m Khmer/American and I just wanted to say thank you so much. It’s such a blessing. ❤

[@user-vi4px3ec8l]

The Metropolitan Museum didn't have any urgency to return any of the items because they were profiting off of them by patrons who buy tickets to their museum.

[@saroth369]

as a Cambodian thank you for bringing back home ❤️🇰🇭🙏

[@nikhildhasmana3740]

Why you guys got converted if you love your history that much? Isn't it statue worshipping? Isn't it haram in your religion?

[@Jay017]

@@nikhildhasmana3740what do you imply by converting? If you don't know the history of my country don't say bs thing here

[@nikhildhasmana3740]

@@Jay017 I know your country history more than you do, converting means converted to islam

[@nikhildhasmana3740]

@@Jay017 you have the largest Hindu temple in your country, Hindu kings build large and astonishing Cities all over combodia.but tell me how many Hindus are left there at the present time?

[@nikhildhasmana3740]

@@rithSov I know it's a islamic country, but it used to be a Hindu nation in past, why you forgot your ancient culture and religion? Why you got converted?

[@JonC4296]

As a fellow Southeast Asian, nothing makes me feel prouder than seeing my Cambodian friends restore back their rights and ancestral heritage. This is their history and culture. Amithaba 🙏🙏🙏

[@Honestandtruth]

Thank you friend....... Does it matter...❓😔❓. CAMBODIA government is under control of Them Viet Cong government

[@chhumchanleak7642]

Thank you.

[@samphorsmonydethmoeun4498]

@@Honestandtruth go to live in vietname if you surrender so easily

[@stacymoch]

This is amazing!! Cambodians endured so much. Blessing to see the artifacts are finally returning home ❤️

[@user-ly7xl1ml7z]

😢😢🙏🙏♥️

[@Honestandtruth]

​@@user-ly7xl1ml7zEven more SICKENING...... CAMBODIA government is a Puppet of Them Viet Cong government that's the Truth. WHO HELP us ❓❓

[@abstract5249]

John Oliver covered this last year. It's not just Cambodia. Stolen artifacts from Egypt, Greece, India, and Africa are being kept in museums all over the world and away from their home countries. These museums aren't just negligent. They know the artifacts are stolen/lack provenance and are actively trying to hold onto them so they can continue profiting off exhibits, despite pleas to return them.

[@yaypokpok]

This is first time I saw the army commander beside the other statue. It overwhelmingly happily to see them back together once again. Thank you to all of US team & Cambodia government for efforts to brought them back.

[@Drtharodermatologist]

As a Cambodian citizen, allow me to heartfelt thank to u Mr. Cooper for your take on our stolen artifacts and your contribution to our cultural reclaim

[@hetoako]

I may not be Cambodian (I'm Filipino) but I feel the loss and desecration done to Cambodia's looted sacred sculpture. Very heartening to see that some have found their way home ❤ thank you for the great reporting 👍

[@Khmerarticle]

Many of these were helped looted by the Thai government sold off to private collectors. Thank you for your kind words. ❤

[@girlfromthepast2233]

Thai looted those, same with the egyptians desecrated almost all pyramids.

[@davidjacobs8558]

can't say it was bad thing though. just like Chiinese Communists, they destroyed their own culture and heritage. if Europeans didn't brought them over to their museums, these would have been destroyed too.

[@MetalizedButt]

Japanese general also hid a massive loot of gold somewhere in the Philippines in ww2 yet to be found till today

[@davidjacobs8558]

@@MetalizedButt gold from where? phlliipines?

[@NichesKT]

Thank you everyone who involved in this success. Especially to Brad and his team for spending years to help Cambodia on this. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@user-hx7jb7fn6w]

As Cambodia 🇰🇭 i am crying the whole times watching this video😢😢😢 thanks to everyone whos been working so hard to bring the status back home in Cambodia 🇰🇭 🙏🙏🙏 ❤

[@johnx8285]

Anything the Met bought or received from Douglas should be returned. Anything in a museum that was never truthfully acquired by the country of origin should be returned.

[@KambojaKing]

We also have to investigate thailand for looting too. There are many Cambodian ancient artifacts stolen , they should do the right thing and return them.

[@khmertech1678]

i am a cambodian thanks you for bring them home 🇰🇭

[@martinemartine2248]

Really thanks to the team of investigators, archaeologists ,art Scholars who are trying their best and effort about priceless artifacts from religious sites across Cambodia and bring them back home. We love you all from Cambodia🥰

[@twochunkydivas]

So many tears of joy in my eyes. What a happy moment for these treasures to go home.

[@dox5983]

Thank you for covering this and bring this to light. As a Cambodian and may not live in there. I am very great full for the team to get those statues back. I hope that all the statues will return to Cambodia. Thank you Anderson Cooper for covering this.

[@GengoSenmon]

Amazing that the looted private collection decades later appeared in Architectural Digest resulting in the statues being returned to Cambodia.

[@billslater55]

#Yuge! This #60Minutes segment on the looting of #Cambodia's #SacredSculptures is absolutely one of the best CBS has ever produced. We need more of segments like this. Special Thanks #AndersonCooper and to everyone else involved, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Finally, Cambodia, we salute you.

[@DizzyfishArt]

As an artist, this brought me to tears.

[@amberandrews6842]

I just can't imagine thinking in terms of destroying a piece of art... It's just mind boggling.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Trump's MAGAs will absolutely try if he gets power again. Nazis either stole great art or destroyed it.

[@gmamose9152]

Nor stealing a country's sacred antiquities

[@amberandrews6842]

@@gmamose9152 yes. It's just appalling to think that way.

[@mikewhocheeseharry5292]

Priceless, irreplaceable art that were created thousands of years ago

[@angelhok74]

Every piece of artifacts are precious to Cambodian people

[@nes-nuhnguyen9196]

👏This news is great news for the people of Cambodia, but not for their government (the corruption Gov). I am grateful to the 60 Minutes CBS news crew for capturing these documents and returning Ancient Khmer artifacts to Cambodia.🙏 Thanks to the Met Museum in NY/US have released and returned those looted Khmer artifacts to their home locations (Cambodia). 🙏Your excellent report is greatly appreciated.🙏

[@JustMe-gs9xi]

Did the Met return ALL of them?

[@greatlife2763]

Ha? They did ot return all of them tanga

[@sierravista9013]

All stolen artifacts should be returned world wide

[@Mikekukreja]

Those looted sculptures are everywhere. If Cambodia wants them back, they can start with having Singapore return the contents of the Asian civilization museum to them. Then they can hit up the Asian art museum in San Francisco.

[@mikewhocheeseharry5292]

Are they the real ones or replicas? I’m in San Francisco and Sotheby’s operates here too, so it’s very possible the ones you noticed at the Asian Art Museum are from Cambodia.

[@annettemarie2076]

This kind of activity is a blatant disrespect for the earths Indigenous Peoples.

[@bongswa82]

Thank you for doing this investigative piece and sharing the info of our Khmer Culture to the world! ❤

[@ponnicasom7094]

Thank you so very much 60 minutes, my country Cambodia, my culture, history & and wonderful amazing art 🙏🙏🙏💕🇰🇭💕

[@MrFLUIZZLE]

Heartwrenching. Great reporting, i hope it has an impact on their recovery efforts.

[@musik_non_stop]

what a mind-blowing story. This gives me faith in humanity

[@Jerry-Cam]

Thank you for working together to bring back the ancient treasure back to Cambodia and special thanks to Mr Cooper and his crew for making this documentary possible.

[@newhorizon4066]

Cooper only showed up after "mission accomplished." Look up other programs (quite a few on youtube) where they tell the whole story from the beginning: an Asian lady in a London neighborhood picked up a copy of Architectural Digest at her local newspaper kiosk, and the search began...

[@focusbyhing]

As a Cambodia, this video gives me appreciation for the awareness to my people’s treasures. Thank you for highlighting our culture, histories and the importance of bringing our treasures back home. Hopefully more will return soon.

[@dongshengdi773]

90% of stolen artifacts are in Thailand

[@ToyvideosKh]

🎉

[@uncleTedK]

They aren’t really your peoples treasures though. They were created by a completely different culture from you. You are not genetically related to those people at all.

[@Somee989]

Hopefully your living in Cambodia?

[@antoniocost6668]

Do think of the people of Africa and their stolen people and treasures

[@NailsbyDalin]

As Cambodian .. thank you so much for the video. We lost a lot and still in pain for our culture .

[@chhaytum]

Thanks everyone who involved in this restoration project.

[@daya4703]

Thank you so much from Cambodia

[@xpg8752]

Thank you! Great journalism

[@trollol_]

You are the best kind of troll. No one is any the wiser.

[@Noneya5241]

It’s disgusting to think how little these greedy looters care about the culture of fellow humans

[@antonioacevedo5200]

Is there not a sense of irony that the looters saved these art pieces. What would Pol Pot have done with them?

[@karu6111]

The looters themselves aren't getting much for stealing, it's the art collectors who view art as investment.

[@sonievkay]

in time of genocide, sometimes people do things they regretful later, in order to feed their family/or save their lives. if u were in their situation, would u sacrifice ur life or family’s life for going against the murderous regime? honestly, u can’t know unless that situation happens.

[@sck7503]

Let it be art pieces from Europe though.

[@sophalkeo3745]

Thank you Anderson for this documentary🙏

[@hf..7271]

I’m Cambodian ethnicities ! My parent recall the atrocities of the Genocides and the looters from neighbors contries the reason you saw statues head cut off or bodies dismembers it’s because inside those statues bodies there’s is gems , stones , diamonds, rubis hidden in there. Also France has been drilling a deep hole inside one of the Cambodian Temple in search of treasures and priceless values hidden. Cambodia are known of the lands of Gemstones 💎especially Pailin Province we’re my father was known a successful entrepreneur Business 1950-60-1970) in Gemologies before the Genocides but War (1975-1979) has left us only with bare skins. Thank you Anderson Cambodia will be forever grateful for bringing this footages into light in plight of all the souls of our ancestors. I’ll know there is still Thousands of prestige’s statues remain hidden around the world . Mostly Thailand, Vietnam , France , UK, China need to be investigated thoroughly . ❤🥹😔🙏🙏🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭❤️

[@sittichaiboonswang]

Does golden boy belong to Cambodia?

[@JustMe-gs9xi]

wow! I did not know that about the gemstones

[@wish491]

​@@sittichaiboonswangyes it does

[@wish491]

​@@sittichaiboonswangIt does. The museum itself also confirms its origin. But how did it end up in Thailand even if it was sold by the looter? It implies the museum backs looters and criminals.

[@Janie282]

​@@JustMe-gs9xi Cambodia = Campuchea = "កម្ពុជា" in Khmer Pali Sanskrit means "the Golden land"

[@onnaoum8788]

🙏🙏 thank you, thank you! ❤❤

[@gregjon2260]

What a shame, human greed destroys Everything

[@lunasmileyy]

The lady from the Met couldnt even face Anderson, let alone make eye contact with him, when she said no one had investigated Latchford’s other donations 🙄

[@Tkhoeumadventure]

Thank you 60 minutes for covering of Ankor History!

[@vietdavy]

My love homeland, Cambodia ❤

[@catwhisperer968]

Remarkable truly speechless. So glad they are reunited with their home

[@LittleMizSocks]

I am so not surprised that it's a British person who stole ancient artifacts as they have been doing that for centuries with other countries as well. I'm happy that some artifacts returned home to Cambodia. As much as I love museums, I hate it at the same time when they refuse to return stolen goods. Just watching that lady being uncomfortable just proves how guilty and negligent they are willing to be when it comes to other countries' stolen goods. This should not be a case of 'Finders Keepers' here. As a Cambodian-American I do wish that more of these statues return home, for now, it's a good start.

[@adamslarke5483]

You are talking rubbish. People have been selling their own history for centuries. British people loved history and culture and bought many objects, saving them for the world. Looting is part of all our histories. All nations have done good and bad things. Most antiquities were stolen and then sold by their own people.

[@LittleMizSocks]

@@adamslarke5483 Copium.

[@philtirah]

Am i correct? Is this a crazy historical moment having a Vanderbilt sitting in the M.E.T. questioning them about stolen artifacts? Wow, Anderson! Way to go! Great segment!

[@greenbamboo4264]

Thank you Anderson, this is incredibly important and valuable journalism. And your pronunciation of the Angkor Wat is admirable.

[@emilyhang5397]

Thank you, Anderson. 👍❤️

[@gettyyoung46]

Cambodia isn't the only country that got looted. The Forbidden City in Beijing remains grand on the exterior, but empty in the interior. Most of the objects there are now in museums in NYC, London, and Paris, in addition to Taipei.

[@scoobysnax9787]

What an amazing Karma story. I love the fact that free donated items to the MET were freely given back.......after 4 years of guilt.

[@angelchouk]

I have visited and toured those looted priceless ancient gods and Khmer ancestors in ancient ruins from Angkor Wat to many sites around the areas. It is truly devastating to see greed among humanity. When you are down on your luck, you get more kicking and beating. 😢 Thank you for airing the documentary.

[@Kaaaaammmm]

Really makes you question the ethics of accountability with these museums.

[@kinvanna]

Thank for this video. sending love from Khmer People for caring and sending our treasury back home. 🥰🥰🥰

[@Omm3693]

I have lived in Cambodia 13 years. I'm American Buddhist Hindu teaching English. When i saw them open the first crate, statue i almost cried. Maybe i lived in Cambodia in past life, whenever i see this kind of story it touches my heart. There is enough proof all the Met Statues should be returned now.

[@konkhmeramerican7109]

I am so proud to be a Cambodian ❤ Thank you 🙏 for supporting my country ♥️

[@DoomSlayer-ow4jq]

i don't see why anyone would want to hold onto something like this after knowing this story. Knowing that they believe they are living souls. Spirits or souls just stay haunting until they're returned back.

[@Red_Ryan_Red]

Hell yeah, let’s go Cambodia. I can’t wait to go back.

[@govinda102000]

Latchford's family living a rich life on the blood of Cambodians. Can you imagine the bank account that he left his friends and family?

[@mikewhocheeseharry5292]

Can you imagine he probably low-ball paid and did to the Asian men bodybuilders?

[@DropSet_Nicky]

Absolutely beautiful piece!

[@chhenghour4157]

Thank you for the program viewing antiquities, very important to Cambodia country .

[@Mac-ze4gu]

It’s crazy that the Thai people say that they are the original owners of Ankor Wat

[@brianw8126]

It's a amazing these artifacts are returning home! It's crazy how badly the looter's damaged them, it is so disgusting.

[@Duncan35]

She is looking at someone off camera. They need to get them on camera too

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

That temple is amazing.

[@Witchofthewoods.]

This lawyer is doing such a fascinating service 👏 for the Cambodian people. He's telling us the Truth! As for The MET, Sotheby's they should be ashamed!!

[@MrHengDoItAll]

as Cambodain , this is give me (Gush)goose bumps. so happy

[@JulithaRyan]

The phrase is ‘goose bumps’- but I like yours much better! Gush bumps! Bless you and your Cambodian heritage ❤❤

[@MrHengDoItAll]

thax correct it@@JulithaRyan

[@noalinalee9988]

Thank you cooper for bringing this interview out to the world about my country and so others can understand the art & history of Cambodia 🇰🇭 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@JustMe-gs9xi]

you have a very special and beautiful country

[@newhorizon4066]

Cooper only showed up after "mission accomplished." Look up other programs (quite a few on youtube) where they tell the whole story from the beginning: an Asian lady in a London neighborhood picked up a copy of Architectural Digest at her local newspaper kiosk, and the search began...

[@7000fps]

I kept watching and waiting for the REAL and important story ..........The BLOODY .Khmer Rouge,,,,,,,,Please CBS , when your done patting COOPies on the back , back dive into the real HELL that is more pertinent to the season the world is in now.

[@dstaff7373]

This Hurts my core watching this, Historical Looting GRINDS MY GEARS. Especially Since I Lean Buddha also this double hits me...

[@doloreschansey9556]

So if two or more people communicate in order to buy or sell something stolen, it is called conspiracy, but if a museum staff do it - even without knowing it - nothing happens to the museum. They knew those items were not legitimately gained. They're very well educated. What a crock.

[@SgtRocko]

No mention of the Cleveland Museum Of Art returning a long lost statue (taken by the French & left as a step stone in a Paris garden before CMA got it) - it helped fixed a badly botched restoration of the original site, and created an amazing 3D exhibit of the temple it came from. The CMA has been so open and sensitive to the Cambodian people's concerns that the Cambodian government has entered into a partnership with the Cleveland Museum of Art as a token of gratitude.

[@alwizard-nk4oz]

No one is ever held accountable for this ! and it is still going on today ! SAD !

[@user-wp7nm5qu7f]

អគុណ..ពិភពលោកដែលស្រលាញ់កម្ពុជា❤❤❤

[@shawnweinel9521]

I just learned that when u see sculptures from around (Greek, Cambodia, Egyptian, etc)the world with missing parts is Not how the artist made them but by thieves damaging them by removing from their rightful locations.

[@digital_0630]

Great piece! Thank you for this! 👏🏼

[@andizhanstuey]

All these items should be returned and all of these people dealing in stolen goods should be held accountable. The fact that they are all rich and powerful should make no difference. Well done Anderson.

[@m3t3r]

It’s the Cambodian government and Anderson Cooper wouldn’t be let out of the country if he reported an actual story

[@BackHomeFromTheStates]

​@@m3t3ryikes. This statement set another level of human society. Not sure how much you know about this country? And if you even watched and listened to this interview from start to finished?.

[@Hello-uk5xp]

⁠@@m3t3rwhat’s the actual story 😮

[@CDCPH582]

I've always wanted to go to the Met before. But after seeing this, I think I'll pass. I think if there's a loud enough public uproar, like boycotting the museum, Met might finally give up all their stolen pieces.

[@samkheng]

Now that is what I call extraordinary heroism! Props to all that's involved! 👏👏👏🙏💐

[@moonkmc855]

A heartfelt moment and expecting to see all these statues outside soon.

[@rubyclark7595]

Thank you... Great information.

[@SandyRiverBlue]

Ironically enough, Latchford was known in antiquity circles as "Dynamite Latchford". It was an open secret since the 70s that at least some if not all of these antiquities were looted.

[@laykhom3212]

Its so touching watching your amazing video. Thanks for everyone who helped out to bring the statuses home. Thanks very much.

[@cashew1]

Cambodia has lost alot. Mostly it's people who died along with their culture during the time of the Khmer Rouge.

[@andrewc.2952]

That's heartbreaking, wow.

[@LuisVillanuevaCubero]

What an amazing article. Thanks!

[@KhomAsian]

Amazing ancient Khmer culture and art!

[@doolchandgoordeen9992]

Too many smuggling items are stolen from hindu temples across the world. I wish to inform all humanity all status are alive irrespective of religion and knows everything. Thank you Sir for this eye opener. May God bless you and your family

[@KnightxxArrow]

Cambodian artifacts are everywhere. I live in Dallas and remember seeing Angkorian statues in the Dallas Museum of Art.

[@joepattersontheartguy]

I have been to the DMA three times. Unfortunately, many of them in the DMA are looted.

[@mpcinlv]

It's getting harder to hide such treasures. We didn't have the internet in 1990.

[@msaintpc]

And I can tell that her company's lawyer is there but hidden from viewers.

[@gabe_2544]

Seeing the sites decimated like that is sickening, the greed despicable. Collectors have to know these things are stolen.

[@sushmarai36]

it was so rewarding experience watching it. As a Hindu, i can relate the sentiments of Cambodian people, these antiquities are worth more than of religious values. They should be where they endemically, ethnically belongs to. Thanks for this Upload🙏

[@aberish]

No remorse no regrets omg, people please stop saying you didn’t do anything wrong. How can you guys live doing bad and take it down with your grave wow.

[@TinyCaligula]

"Tracking down" sounds much more intense than "visits the british museum."

[@sarinpichnika]

Thank you for sharing this video❤❤❤

[@ilovephotography1254]

The representative from the Met being interviewed. She was saying much more with her body language, then with her words.

[@fennyellis3366]

Cooper definitely had her on the hot seat. Did you notice, she kept looking to her right...I bet a Met lawyer was standing there.

[@ilovephotography1254]

She looked like a hostage forced to make a video statement, with a gunman standing off camera.@@fennyellis3366

[@sukikom2259]

Yeah, I almost feel sorry for her. She didn't realize Anderson Cooper could be this tough.😅😮

[@fennyellis3366]

@@sukikom2259 My daughter works in a major museum. I sent her this video. She said, the situation isn't as black and white as the story implies. There is a gray area were museums are concerned.

[@ilovephotography1254]

Let me eliminate the "gray" areas of this issue... Corruption is an all too common human trait. Corruption and scandal is found in the peoples that we trust. That includes governments, religions, law enforcement, in everyones family tree. If you look in the mirror, chances are you're looking at someone who at some time did something corrupt. The list goes on. Should we not include to the list of corruption museum administrations? @@fennyellis3366

[@Food-Dharma]

The search continues, but this is a great start to the recovery process. Cambodia is an ancient country with rich cultural heritage. These stone statues are cultural artefacts that deserve to be returned to their rightful home and shared with the world from there and not hidden in some private collections never to be seen again.

[@julianyc422]

Think of the Statue David stolen and sold for some Oligarchs garden in his Billion Dollar Mansion. The People would want David back, like we want famous Our Cities back, being priced out and only the Rich can enjoy living among our cultural icons in cities we labor in and built and beautiful places.

[@cameronvan6875]

❤🙏🙏👍✌, thank you so much for returned back to Khmer people and we are so grateful.

[@MrPich_]

Thank you so much for this video