Stolen Syrian Antiquities in Lebanon- Interpol
DAMASCUS,(ST)_ In a statement, the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums confirmed it had received from Interpol, information documented in images on smuggling Syrian Antiques and displaying them for sale by antiquity traders in Lebanon. The smuggled monuments are identified as bust statues of different shapes dating back to the second century AD of Palmyra era , confirming a clear Syrian identity.
“The stolen contraband include pieces of crowns of Roman columns date to the second century AD, glass and stone pieces dating back to the Roman era, between the second and fourth centuries and coins from the early Islamic period between the seventh and 11th centuries ,” the statement read
The statement pointed out that experts from the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums will verify the authenticity of the pieces, due to the high activity of rigging antiquities and the increase of forged monuments that are sold as genuine in the markets of neighboring countries, noting that the Directorate will take all necessary measures to restore these pieces formally , even if they are fake.
The Syrian directorate called on the Lebanese authorities to cooperate to restore the Syrian property , control the movement of antiquity thieves and gangs across- border and prevent illicit trafficking of Syrian monuments.
In earlier reports, the Directorate of Antiquities and Museums indicated illegal excavations and looting works at Syrian archaeological sites , most pronounced in the Mary and Dora Urobossand other sites listed on the World Heritage List in northern Syria in the forgotten cities in Idleb province . Many cemeteries in Palmyra region were also exposed to illegal excavation operations.
T. Fateh