What does Heritage Watch Do?

Cambodia’s great archaeological heritage is being decimated by widespread looting.  Heritage Watch is a non-profit organization dedicated to halting this destruction and saving Cambodia’s cultural legacy.

Heritage Watch seeks to:
•    Create greater public awareness about Cambodia's fascinating heritage. 

•    Discourage heritage destruction and the illegal trade of antiquities.

•    Encourage and highlight responsible tourism - including promotion of alternative destinations to alleviate stress on heritage sites.

•    Bring together the private, public and non-governmental sectors in a nation wide campaign of collaboration and cooperation. 

•    Encourage businesses to promote the arts, culture, heritage and development projects in Cambodia. 

•    Promote Heritage Watch principles directly to the Cambodian community

Origins of Heritage Watch

Heritage Watch was founded in 2003 by archaeologist Dougald O'Reilly following the rampant looting of Phum Snay, an immense Iron Age burial ground in Cambodia’s northwest. After its discovery in 1999, Phum Snay was decimated by looters seeking its rich grave offerings—beautiful ceramics, iron weapons and gold and bronze jewelry. Realizing that an entire chapter of Cambodia’s history was disappearing, he and a range of dedicated colleagues made it their mission to promote the protection of the country’s heritage. To better achieve this goal, they founded Heritage Watch.
 

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