Inspectors of the Israel Antiquities Authority, assisted by detectives of the ‘Iron police, conducted a search in the house of a resident of Kara village where they seized hundreds of ancient finds consisting of more than 1,000 bronze coins, dozens of pottery vessels, stone and flint implements, metal objects and ancient jewelry. The finds range in date from the prehistoric period until the Late Islamic period.
A limestone column was discovered in the courtyard of the house which is thought to have been dismantled from an antiquties site in the area adjacent to a sheikh’s tomb. The suspect, in his thirties, was questioned by inspectors from the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery. In the coming days the evidence from the investigation will be turned over to the office of the state prosecutor for preparation of a charge sheet.
The Antiquities Authority reiterates that damage caused to an antiquities site and the removal of ancient artifacts from antiquties sites anywhere in the country are criminal offenses punishable by up to five years imprisonment.
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