[CPProt.net] Authorities Prevent Smuggling of Bar Kochba-Era Artifact

[Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton Cremers)]

Authorities Prevent Smuggling of Bar Kochba-Era Artifact 
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 / 9 Iyar 5765

An antiquities expert attempting to sneak an ancient measuring-weight out of
Israel was thwarted by a joint Postal Authority, Antiquities Authority and
Customs Bureau effort.


The weight is made of bronze and was used by businessmen and traders during
the Bar Kochba period (132-135 C.E.). On the weight, "Year 3" is inscribed,
referring to the third year of Jewish autonomy during that era. There are
also letters that appear to spell "Shimon Bar Kochba - Prince of Israel."
Jewish symbols such as a palm branches and a menorah are carved into the
weight as well.


The head of the unit for preventing antiquities smuggling, Amir Ganor, told
Arutz-7's Shimon Cohen that the smugglers attempted to hide the weight
inside a book. They carved a hole inside the book by cutting out parts of
its pages. Postal workers discovered the weight during a routine search;
they alerted Customs officials, who in turn called in members of the
Antiquities Authority.


An initial investigation revealed that the smuggling of a rare
archaeological artifact had been attempted, leading to the arrest of the
smuggler. 

The smuggler turned out to be a former antiquities dealer and expert in
antiquities law. His legal knowledge made it obvious to him that exporting
such an artifact would not be approved, as it falls into the class of
archaeological artifacts of national importance. The smuggler therefore hid
it in the book and attempted to mail it to the United States.

The Antiquities Authority requested a search warrant for the smuggler's
home. During the search, agents of the authority found documents attesting
to the smuggling of other very rare artifacts.

Ganor said that the weight was only the fifth of its kind ever discovered.
Two of the weights are in the Israel Museum, and the others are in the
possession of private collectors. The significance of the weights lies in
what they teach about the Bar Kochba revolt. The weights were a symbol of
autonomy from the Roman government, as attested by the inscription, "Shimon
Bar Kochba - Prince of Israel."

The expert attempted to send the weight to an international antiquities
expert, one who is widely published and visits Israel at least twice a year
to transport approved artifacts from Israel to America. 

The Antiquities Authority is seeking an indictment against the Israeli
smuggler, and plans on arresting the American buyer should he come to Israel
as well. If not, a request will be filed for the relevant U.S. authorities
to open an investigation of his activities.