The Architecture of Provenance Research: Indexing, Modeling, and Algorithmic Training

Are there fundamental principles of provenance research? Can methodological constants be identified that transcend the specificity of individual cultural objects? This paper addresses these questions from the complementary perspectives of provenance research and the law. Drawing on case studies from legal practice, collaboration with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit, UNESCO, UNIDROIT, law enforcement agencies, and academia, it analyses different categories of cultural objects. The research identifies recurring patterns that may form the basis of a systematic model for indexing provenance information and for designing an algorithm capable of assessing provenance from available data. The paper also explores the relationship between provenance and due diligence, arguing that provenance should not be confined to transactions but understood as a continuous methodological process underpinning responsible acquisition, collection management, and stewardship.