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| AP Photo: Turkish Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay |
Authorities in Turkey have discovered an "important archaeological site" while searching for looted antiquities, reports the Associated Press. The discovery was made near Milas, in western Turkey. This sarcophagus may have contained artifacts, but they have disappeared, likely lost in the illicit trade. The piece describes the tunnels:
[T]he suspects had dug two tunnels — 6 and 8 meters (yards) long, from the house and an adjacent barn, leading to the tomb that is buried some 10 meters (yards) deep.
They used sophisticated equipment to drill through the thick marble walls of the tomb and were working to remove the coffin from the underground chamber when they were detained, according to the Culture Ministry.
"I would have wished that this (archaeological find) had been discovered through our digs and not through digs conducted by a band of treasure hunters," Anatolia quoted Gunay as saying.
"This is not an ordinary treasure hunt. It is very organized and it is obvious that they received economic and scientific help," Gunay said, adding that Turkey also would investigate the suspects possible overseas links.
- Turkey Discovers Ancient Underground Tomb : NPR, , http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129174682 (last visited Aug 13, 2010).
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