SEE - July 11: Sada ElBalad news network quoted “informed sources” among antiques officials that a gang specialized in antiques illegal excavations were arrested in Al-Menia governorate. Tha gang were led by a50 year old engineer living in 6th October neighbourhood, Gizah governorate.
The sources revealed that the place of the alleged excavation is not operated or supervised by the Antiques authorities, and is located at a rugged area in the mountain between areas of “Sheikh Ebada” and “Bany Hassan”, and by the borders of “Malawi” & “Abu Qurqas” cities.
They added that the gang had already 4*4 cars and special equipments for the excavations processes, and its members belonged to different cities and governorates, which poses questions about the accuracy and organization of the criminal network.
“The location of the excavations is an archeological site consists of caves and rock tombs, that were quarries in the past, and had been reused by Copts during the Greek & Roman times as places to escape persecution. Those Copts turned some of them into praying places and lived there for long time”, the sources explained.
A broken pottery as well as more than 480 ancient coins which seemed rusted, many of which had the name of Emperor Constantine, and dated between 363-373 have been found with the gang.
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