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Heritage Watch was founded by Dougald O’Reilly in 2003, when he was working in Cambodia and witnessed looting of ancient antiquities across that country. “I felt the looting was an incredible tragedy,” says O’Reilly. “One can’t blame folks for digging near their homes to find anything of value, since poverty is what drives looters. But the sites give us clues to the rise of civilisations.”

Sites include Angkor Wat (right) near Siem Reap. The 12th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu covers 208 hectares and is the world’s largest religious complex. “When I was a kid, National Geographic dedicated an issue to Angkor Wat, and I was in awe,” recalls O’Reilly. He went on to do archaeological work there, and to author the excellent digital book,

An Interactive Guide to Angkor.

In the early 2000s, he resolved to help preserve prehistoric sites across Cambodia. From his flat in the capital, Phnom Penh, he mobilised his former archaeology students, paying them with his own money. “We began with projects like village training sessions, to educate locals on the importance of preserving the past.”

The non-profit, which O’Reilly believes is the first of its kind, also promotes responsible tourism: visitors are discouraged from buying antiquities; businesses are certified with signage to help travellers identify ethical companies; and locals are employed to work on excavations.

And Heritage for Kids teaches children about the issue. “We have a pilot programme in schools in northwest Cambodia involving hundreds of kids,” says O’Reilly. “The government loves it, and the kids love it.”

In 2009, O’Reilly won the prestigious Archaeological Institute of America’s Conservation and Heritage Management Award for his work with Heritage Watch.