Smuggling Of Roman Antiquities Prevented In Southern Syria - Reports

Fakhir Rizvi Published October 02, 2018 | 02:24 AM

BEIRUT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd October, 2018) The directorate of antiquate of the Syrian province of Daraa together with police officers have managed to prevent an attempted smuggling of items of cultural heritage relating to the Roman era to Jordan, local media reported Monday.

According to the Syrian Arab news Agency (SANA), Roman columns with an ornament, pieces of basaltic sculptures and copper and glass bottles, all of which are of great cultural value, were among the antiquities which were due to be smuggled to Jordan.

The province of Daraa has a number of historical monuments dating back to various historical epochs, with a Roman amphitheater in the province town of Bosra, situated close to the border with Jordan, being one of the most famous ones.

The ancient town of Bosra was liberated from militants in July. This was made possible thanks to successful negotiations of the Russian servicemen with militants, who surrendered the town without a fight, which prevented the historical monuments from being destroyed.