Police Discover Roman Antiquities in a Seafood Store
- July 23, 2020 10:28
A routine inspection of fish storage facilities yielded a surprising find for police in Spain.
A cache of 13 Roman amphorae, along with a metal anchor from the 18th century, were found with fish products at a store in Alicante. The store owners are now under investigation for possessing historical artifacts, for "possession of objects knowingly of their dubious or illegal origin."
"Officers observed several ceramic amphorae at various points in the facility, a metal anchor and a limestone plaque with an inscription that, at first glance, could be of considerable age," the Civil Guard said in a statement.
Spain's Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport claims the pieces are from the Roman Empire, possibly dating to the first century and salvaged from shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. The authenticity of the items was then verified by staff at the Sea Museum in Santa Pola.
"In particular, one of them could be of significant importance, due to its exclusivity," the statement said.
