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)