Searching for Cambodia's Stolen Crown Jewels
Updated on: June 28, 2026 / 7:00 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- 60 Minutes investigated the looting of ancient artifacts from Cambodian temples, including Angkor Wat and remote sites like Sandak Mountain.
- The looting began in the 1970s during the Khmer Rouge regime and continued for decades due to instability.
- Artifacts were traded as 'blood antiquities,' a dangerous trade associated with violence and murder.
- British antiquities dealer Douglas Latchford is identified as a prime suspect in the trade of stolen Cambodian artifacts.
- A former Khmer Rouge child soldier, Toek Tik, identified looted items in Latchford's book, 'Khmer Gold: Gifts of the Gods.'
- Latchford's family agreed to return his entire collection of ancient Khmer jewelry and gold to Cambodia.
- The return of the artifacts is seen as a restoration of national pride for Cambodians.
- Douglas Latchford died before he could be extradited to face trial for the theft of antiquities.