Security forces in the Egyptian governorate of Minya apprehended an individual today, Tuesday, with possession of 256 ancient artifacts. Investigations revealed that the suspect acquired these treasures from illicit excavation activities in the jurisdiction of the Bani Mazar police center.
The Tourism and Antiquities Police Sector’s information and investigations confirmed that a resident of the Minya governorate was holding these artifacts with the intention of illegal trade.
Upon formalizing the necessary procedures, a security team detained the individual and seized from him 256 items, which included ancient coins from the Roman era, and various figurines of different shapes and sizes. Relevant authorities confirmed the authenticity of the items.
When confronted, the accused confessed to possessing the artifacts for illegal trade. He also admitted that he obtained them from unauthorized digging and excavation activities carried out discreetly within the area overseen by the Bani Mazar police center.
Legal actions have been initiated, and the public prosecution has taken over the investigation.
The illicit trade and smuggling of ancient artifacts is a persistent problem for many countries with rich archaeological histories, especially Egypt. Here’s a background on the topic:
Ancient Artifacts & Egypt
Egypt is home to one of the world’s most ancient and rich civilizations. Over millennia, from the Pharaohs of the Old Kingdom to the Greco-Roman era, numerous artifacts, structures, and tombs were created, many of which still lie undiscovered beneath the sand.
The global black market for antiquities is vast, with ancient Egyptian artifacts being among the most sought-after. These artifacts can fetch extremely high prices in illegal markets.
As indicated in the report, unauthorized digging is a significant source of such artifacts. Amateur and illicit excavators, often called “tomb raiders”, risk damaging priceless artifacts and the archaeological context in their rush to find sellable items.
Egypt has stringent laws and regulations in place to protect its heritage. The government has continuously tried to crack down on the illegal trade and has sought international cooperation to repatriate stolen items. The Tourism and Antiquities Police Sector in Egypt plays a crucial role in these efforts.
Internationally, there are conventions like the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, which aims to combat the illicit trade in cultural property. Egypt is a signatory and often seeks international help based on such agreements.
Over the years, numerous artifacts have been returned to Egypt from various countries after being identified as stolen or illegally exported.
The illegal trade not only robs the country of its historical treasures but also hampers academic understanding by destroying the archaeological context. Moreover, it undermines the tourism industry, which relies heavily on Egypt’s rich history and archaeological sites.
In light of this, incidents like the one in Minya underscore the importance of stringent monitoring, international cooperation, and public awareness to safeguard invaluable artifacts for future generations.
