Carabinieri operation, recovered artifacts worth 900 thousand euros

As a result of two separate investigative activities by the Archaeology Section of the Operational Department of the Carabinieri Commando Tutela Patrimonio Culturale, archaeological artifacts from the period between the 4th century B.C. and the 2nd century A.D., worth more than 900,000 euros, were found. The first originated from the control of some transactions involving the movement of large sums of money by wealthy businessmen, for the purchase of art goods. In particular, the investigators’ attention focused on a Roman real estate developer who, without the knowledge of the relevant offices of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism(MiBACT), had set up a small private museum with dozens of archaeological artifacts.

In-depth investigations by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office led to a house search uncovering dozens of archaeological artifacts, mainly ceramics, dating between the 4th century B.C. and the 2nd century A.D. Prominent among the goods, in terms of historical and artistic interest, were some craters of excellent workmanship and two exceptional architectural coroplast heads, one taurine and one equine, likely pertaining to a sculptural group of considerable size. Investigations are continuing for the identification of the co-conspirators, as well as for the identification of the archaeological areas of provenance of the goods, the location of which could also enable important scientific discoveries. The artifacts, upon the order of theJudicial Authority, will be returned to the relevant Superintendency for public enjoyment.

The second operation developed as a result of monitoring Internet sites, which are increasingly being used for the marketing of archaeological goods of illicit origin. In particular, on a Facebook profile, traceable to a “Marketplace” site, a fragment of a Roman tufa column was being offered for sale. The ensuing investigations at the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Lazio, allowed to find the absence of the required report of possession, in any capacity, of the artifact placed for sale by the advertiser. The seller was found and seized the column rubble, which MiBACT officials indicated came from the site of the ancient settlement of Ardea.

Carabinieri operation, recovered artifacts worth 900 thousand euros

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