Looting in the Village

The PITCHER project (Erasmus+ Programme, 2021-2024) designed and tested a set of Open Educational Resources focused on improving the capacity of teachers and educators in preparing new learning experiences to support the fight against archaeological looting and illicit trafficking of cultural goods. This educational escape game was created for the “Musée des Amis de Castrum Vetus” in Châteauneuf-les-Martigues (France) during the Museomix learning event in November 2023. Grouped into teams of cultural detectives, students explore the museum rooms, encountering looted or stolen objects - or objects that could have been. The stories of their looting and thefts, whether real or based on authentic cases, introduce the missions they must complete: solving puzzles or taking on challenges related to the history of these objects or their periods. Overcoming these trials allows them to gradually discover the secret code to open the chest holding these objects (or at least their 3D replicas!). Throughout the adventure, they learn about the threats to cultural heritage and how to protect it. This resource also includes a guide for adapting this escape game to other museums, archive centres or libraries with ancient collections for students or young people aged 7 to 18.