Archaeological findings in Turkey point to an ancient and thriving Jewish presence, from the Second Temple period through the modern era. Now, one such item has allegedly been found in the possession of a person who tried to trade it illegally, according to the Turkish news site Türkiye Today.
The suspect was detained in Gaziantep province in southeastern Turkey following an operation by Turkey’s Gendarmerie, or Jandarma, a military-style law enforcement force responsible mainly for public order, internal security and law enforcement.
2 View gallery
The Hebrew manuscript inscribed in gold letters on python skin, displayed alongside its decorated copper case
(Photo: AA)
The force has been carrying out ongoing operations to prevent the illegal trade of archaeological items of historical significance.
The manuscript, about two meters long, was inscribed with Hebrew letters in gold on python skin. It was rolled into a scroll and kept inside a copper case with a decorated lid.
The item is consistent with the types of finds usually uncovered by antiquities traffickers operating across the region. Illegal excavations at archaeological sites remain an ongoing problem that Turkish authorities are trying to combat.
The recently detained suspect remained in Gendarmerie custody as proceedings and the investigation continued. At this stage, no additional suspects have been named.
Illegal excavation and trade in historical artifacts are criminal offenses in Turkey, which is home to thousands of archaeological sites settled by many ancient civilizations.
Gaziantep, one of the world’s oldest cities, has been continuously inhabited since the Paleolithic period. The Hittites were among the first to settle in the area, but since its conquest by Sargon II, king of Assyria, in 717 B.C., the city has passed through numerous civilizations.