During this time, Mali was experiencing famine; and it was unlikely for many to be upset about any money that came into the country. The sale of cultural antiquities has been prohibited since 1970, with the creation of the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, which by agreement placed all such cultural property under protection. Conflict between ownership and control of artifacts still remains a problem in the region as well as in many other parts of the world as there is a differnce between prohibitions and actual, domestic laws and international laws and treaties governing the exhumation, rights to ownership, export and import of such material.
Mali endured a famine during this time; it was unlikely that many would be concerned about any money entering the country. The sale of cultural artifacts has been prohibited since 1970 due to the UNESCO Convention on Preventing and Prohibiting Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, which by mutual agreement protected all such items. Conflicts over ownership and control of artifacts continue in the region as well as worldwide, despite discrepancies between prohibitions and domestic laws and international regulations concerning excavation, rights to possession, export, and import.