Antiquities theft updates from here and there

From Morocco Times:

During November and December, French Customs officials in southern France seized nearly 17,800 archaeological objects taken illegally from Morocco and Mali, announced the French minister for the Economy, reported MAP news agency.

The first confiscation, which took place in Arles on Nov 15, was the most important of these operations, since the Customs officials discovered more than 17,600 archaeological objects in a vehicle registered in Morocco and on its way to Germany.

The loot included fossils as well as artworks and artifacts. Meanwhile, the Guardian reports:

Police in Rome have put on display an astonishing haul of artefacts they say was plundered from archaeological sites in Italy by a 74-year-old man.

Officers who raided the man's home found 9,000 antiquities stolen over a period of years as well a sophisticated restoration lab, metal detectors and other devices used by amateur archaeologists . . .

The man was arrested as he was delivering goods to clients who visit his stall in Rome's Porta Portese flea market, police said. He was caught with three bags of the antiquities in his car. . .

Carabineri from the art theft squad regularly target the flea market, where illegal items are sold by professional thieves.

Several months ago thieves broke off pieces of a statue by the Baroque sculptor Bernini and tried to sell them at the same market, but the goods were recovered by police.

Another version of the same article, with a picture, here; I have not been able to track down more about the Bernini fragments as yet.

Posted by David on December 31, 2005 2:29 PM