Ancient bones being traded

Ancient bones being traded

SEMARANG, Central Java: Illegal trading in ancient human
skeletal remains is rife in Sangiran, Sragen district, an
official said yesterday.

Slamet D.S., a spokesman for the provincial office of the
education ministry, said the illegal trade involved both local
residents and artifact traders from elsewhere. He said the
authorities were finding it difficult to control the trade.

The Sangiran archaeological site is several dozen square
kilometers in area, while it is patrolled by only a few security
officers, Slamet said, as quoted by Antara.

He said illegal digging for artifacts is common.

Sangiran, which is rich in fossils, is to be nominated for
international museum site status with UNESCO, he added. (pan)