Egypt Secures 151 Ancient Artefacts Recovered from Illegal Excavations in Minya

Cairo (ANTARA) - Egyptian authorities have secured 151 ancient artefacts, including two coffins and 37 statues, from a man in Minya Province, south of Cairo, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday (15/9).

Investigations by the tourism and antiquities police revealed that the suspect, residing in the Abu Qurqas District, intended to sell the artefacts.

Security forces arrested the suspect and seized the artefacts after obtaining the necessary legal permits.

The seized items include two coffins; 3t statues made of limestone, bronze, and faience (glazed ceramic); a statue base; an amulet; three vessels; a pottery bottle; and 97 metal coins.

The statement added that the suspect confessed to finding the artefacts through illegal excavations in the Abu Qurqas mountainous region.

According to the statement, local authorities confirmed that all the artefacts date back to the Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman periods.

Legal action has been taken against the suspect.

The Egyptian Ministry of Interior stated that the seizure is part of its ongoing efforts to protect Egypt’s cultural heritage and archaeological wealth.

Under Egyptian law, illegal excavation or concealing antiquities for smuggling can result in imprisonment, while the artefacts and equipment used in such activities are subject to seizure by the Supreme Council of Antiquities.