Archaeological items found at 3 antiques dealers in Samaria, 15.3.23 (Photo: Dobrot Matpas)
At the end of a secret and complex operation, the Civil Administration arrested three antiquities dealers in the Samaria region and confiscated rare archaeological finds worth hundreds of thousands of shekels.
Following the arrest of an antiquities dealer several months ago, the Archeology Subcommittee Unit in the Civil Administration, in cooperation with the Investigations and Intelligence Division of the Iosh Police Department and the police of Shi District, began an undercover investigation against a number of antiquities dealers and robbers engaged in robbery and illegal trade in the Samaria region .
Today (Wednesday), the investigation became open - in the framework of which the KMT Archeology Unit, together with the Coordination and Liaison Directorate for Nablus and Battalion 9213, raided the villages of Kalil and Hawara in the Shomron Regional Division sector and with a Harob patrol in Eilar village in the Menasha Regional Division sector. During the night, three dealers were
arrested And antiquities robbers and likewise, archaeological findings worth hundreds of thousands of shekels, which were held illegally, were confiscated.
Archeological findings worth hundreds of thousands of shekels that were held illegally were confiscated (photo: Dobrot Matfash)
Metal parts found in the raid on the merchants (photo: Dovrot Matafash)
A candle decorated with a seven-reed lamp
As part of the covert operation, which took place as part of the extensive activity led by the KMT Archeology unit in the Civil Administration to preserve archaeological findings and eradicate the phenomenon of antiquities robbery in the Judea and Samaria region, dozens of archaeological items were seized including - bowls, jugs, coins, glassware and many jewels dating from the Middle Bronze Age (1800 BC) to the Byzantine period (AD 600). Among the rare finds you can find a variety of candles of the 'Beit Natif' type decorated with the model of a menorah.
Coins and various metal parts found with the 3 merchants in Samaria (photo: Dobrot Matpas)
Among the loot, dozens of candles and ancient tools
The Civil Administration will continue to work in conjunction with all the security forces in order to eradicate the phenomenon of antiquities trade and robbery in Judea and Samaria, this for the preservation of the archaeological heritage treasures in the region.
The head of the Civil Administration, Lt. Col. Fars Atila: "The Civil Administration will continue to act in order to protect the archaeological sites and heritage treasures in Judea and Samaria and will continue to act against those who try to harm them. This is our duty."
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