Two farmers who found a pair of Roman-era tombstones as they were ploughing their field have been arrested after trying to flog them on.
The incident took place in the district of Mihaliccik in the north-western Turkish city of Eskisehir at around 10 pm on 1st February.
The two men, identified by the same initials S.E. and S.E., discovered the tombstones while they were ploughing their field and decided to sell them as soon as they realised they might hold high historic value.
After receiving information about the farmers’ intentions, police teams quickly tracked down and arrested the pair.
One of the historical tombstones from the Roman period found in Eskisehir’s Mihaliccik district 
One of the historical tombstones from the Roman period found in Eskisehir’s Mihaliccik district 
Police with one of the suspect who tried to sell the Roman tombstones
The two headstones, believed to be from the Roman Period, were seized from the suspects’ vehicle.
The detainees were referred to the judicial authorities for ‘Opposition to the Law on Protection of Cultural and Natural Property No. 2863’ and were released by the court on conditions on 2nd February.
In their official report, the Eskisehir Provincial Gendarmerie Command said: “We will continue our activities aimed at combating smuggling crimes in order to protect our cultural and natural assets that are entrusted to us and that we have inherited from our ancestors.”
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
