Redai dili (Oct 2024)
Spatial Distribution, Crime Patterns, and Factors Influencing Criminal Looting of Cultural Relics in China
Abstract
China has a long history and rich cultural heritage; however, the rampant criminal looting of ancient cultural sites and tombs (referred to as "cultural relics" in this study) poses a significant challenge to the construction of China's cultural confidence and security. Despite its importance, relatively little research has been conducted on this issue from the perspective of criminal geography. Therefore, this study focuses on China, utilizing such methods as text and spatial analyses and mathematical statistics based on relevant data from the "China Judgments Online" website to explore the spatial distribution and its evolution process, crime pattern characteristics, and the main influencing factors of the criminal looting of cultural relics. The research findings indicate that (1) the majority of looted cultural relics are ancient tombs from the Qin and Han dynasties or earlier periods. Crimes have been committed predominantly by middle-aged or older adult men with low levels of education who are typically engaged in farming or are unemployed. (2) Regarding spatial distribution, crime is mainly concentrated in the central and eastern regions, with three high-incidence provinces (Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi) and three sub-high-incidence provinces (Zhejiang, Shandong, and Anhui). The hotspots are mainly concentrated at the junction of Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi provinces, with seven hotspot cities, such as Luoyang and Yuncheng, and 16 sub-hotspot cities, such as Anyang, Hebi, and Xinxiang. Although slight changes and shifts have been observed over time in the high-incidence areas, their overall locations have remained relatively stable. At the micro level, these crimes frequently occur in farmlands, forests, and wastelands. Both criminal activities and protected heritage sites tend to cluster around the middle-lower reaches of the Yellow and Yangtze River regions; that is, regions with rich cultural relics are more susceptible to cultural relic theft. (3) The spatial mode of criminal travel is mainly "intra-city theft and excavation", and the destinations of "cross-city theft and excavation" are concentrated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow and the Yangtze Rivers, mainly in medium and short distances. Most crimes are committed by gangs of 4-9 people (accounting for 80.82% of cases). Crimes are divided into two categories: professional and occasional theft and excavation. The criminal process can be divided into four stages: teaming, planning, implementation, and escape. (4) The distribution of cultural relics and prevention policies are important factors that influence the criminal looting of cultural relics, and the interaction between them is obvious. This study explores the spatial distribution, crime patterns, and influencing factors of such crimes in China and expands the research field of criminal geography to a certain extent. It also provides a scientific reference for historic site protection policymakers.
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