Ancient tomb seized from treasure hunters in central Turkey

ESKİŞEHİR – Anadolu Agency

Twelve treasure hunters have been detained in the Central Anatolian province of Eskişehir after attempting to sell an ancient tomb with cross motif for $4 million.  

Teams from the provincial Gendarmerie Command Department of the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Bureau made the arrests after posing as buyers. 

After the arrest, the tomb was unearthed from a six-meter-long and four-meter-deep tunnel with the help of municipal workers. It was then handed over for expert inspection. 

A human skeleton was found in the Byzantine-era tomb, which will now be taken to the Eti Archaeology Museum. 

Two of the suspects were released pending investigation after their interrogation, while 10 were sent to the court.