Roman-era tomb seized from treasure hunters
İZMİR - Anadolu Agency
An investigation has been opened against two suspects who carried out illegal excavations in İzmir’s Selçuk district and attempted to sell a Roman-era tomb they found during the excavations.
Officials were informed that the suspects had attempted to sell the ancient tomb for 1.4 million euros. The tomb had been unearthed close to the ancient city of Ephesus, in Arvalya, a site designated as a first-degree archaeological site.
After a two-month pursuit, the İzmir Police Department, in collaboration with the İzmir Gendarmerie, started the operation and found two holes in the archaeological site. The holes were covered with a tractor and an iron road drain cover. Three burial chambers were discovered in the holes. It was reported that the suspects had damaged the ancient artifacts.
Inside the chambers, a 1,700-year-old Ephesus-type tomb, human bones, tear bottles, bowls and a marble cover, as well as many tools used in the excavation were found.
The Selçuk Museum Directorate officials, who carried out rescue excavations around the excavation field, removed the tomb. The human bones inside the tomb belonged to three children and seven adults. The tomb has been taken under protection and the two suspects have been arrested.
