Ancient Relic Traffickers Arrested

A group of illegal traffickers of ancient relics in Markazi Province were arrested by the protection unit of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization late last week.  Following reports from the locals about the illegal practice in Tafresh County, the protection unit immediately set up a meeting with one such trafficker at his home in coordination with the judicial and law enforcement authorities.  During the operation, 778 historical objects were confiscated during the operation and three offenders were arrested, CHTN reported.  "The objects included swords, bronze cups, spearheads, rings and a number of coins, clay objects and handwritten manuscripts," said Colonel Mohammad Khosravi, commander of the provincial cultural heritage protection unit.  Initial estimations show that the relics belong to a period spanning from the 1st millennium BC to Qajar era.  "More archeological studies are required to determine the precise antiquity of the relics," he said.