ROME (AP) — On Tuesday, Italian authorities disclosed the seizure of an illegal excavation site linked to the ancient Etruscan civilization in central Umbria. Two individuals are currently under investigation for allegedly stealing valuable artifacts—including urns, sarcophagi, and other treasures—estimated to be worth 8 million euros ($8.5 million), which were intended for sale on the black market.
Authorities became aware of the illicit dig when they discovered photos of artifacts circulating on the black market that closely resembled items found at a nearby Etruscan burial site discovered by a farmer in 2015. This led investigators to explore the area further.
Utilizing modern technology such as drones for aerial surveillance and phone taps, authorities pinpointed the illegal excavation occurring on land owned by a local businessman who had access to heavy machinery.
The Etruscan civilization flourished in central Italy from around 900 B.C. until 27 B.C., spanning regions that now encompass parts of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, mainly situated between the Tiber and Arno rivers.
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The headline of this story has been updated to clarify that the recovered artifacts are valued at $8.5 million, rather than $8.5 billion.
