Dogs have been used in law enforcement for centuries. The K-9 has an extraordinary sense of smell which has proven exceptionally helpful in detecting narcotics, explosives, and other contraband. Most recently, specially trained dogs are assisting in the detection of cultural artifacts being acquired illegally and smuggled out of war-torn countries and conflict zones. 

According to the United Nation Security Council, Syria and Iraq are key targets for organized crime and terrorist groups. These groups are using the illegal profits to finance their criminal actions and support recruitment efforts.  To fight this growing problem, there’s an innovative program training dogs to detect smuggled artifacts hidden in crates and packages.

If you’re wondering how dogs are trained to “sniff out” cultural artifacts, the answer lies in a collaboration between the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Vet Working Dog Center, the Penn Museum, and Red Arch Research. It’s called the “K-9 Artifact Finders” program. According to the Red Arch Research website:

The kind of canine training we are undertaking is unprecedented. To prevent any cross-contamination of odors, the primary study will focus on the Fertile Crescent region in modern-day Iraq and Syria. This area is historically rich, making it a prime target for cultural heritage looters.

Artifacts, such as pottery, will be used. All will be lawfully and freshly excavated from the Fertile Crescent region in Iraq and Syria, an area that is a prime target for looters. The training techniques will be like those used for bomb or drug detection. First the odor of the pottery will be captured by wiping it with absorbent material. Then the dogs will be given several samples of material to sniff. When they smell a sample with the pottery odor, they will be given a treat. When they smell a sample that doesn’t have the odor, they will not get a treat.”

Once the dogs have been imprinted on the pottery odor, their odor discrimination skills will be tested….These specially trained dogs might become the newest tool officers have to prevent the smuggling of archeological treasure and to recover and protect humanity’s cultural heritage.

Learn more:

The Penn Vet Working Dog Center 

Red Arch Cultural Heritage Law and Policy Research