Roughly 200 ancient coins, arrowheads, complete pottery vessels, oil lamps, glass beads, pendants and metal objects were seized overnight Monday during a police search of a home in Dimona.
The items, believed to have been illegally held and sold, span historical periods from the Iron Age—9th century BCE—to the early Islamic period—7th century CE. Two metal detectors were also confiscated.
The search was conducted under a court order by Dimona police officers, following intelligence indicating the suspect was involved in illegal antiquities trafficking.
Rahamim Farjun, an inspector with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) who was called to the scene, said the items appeared to have been looted using metal detectors and uprooted without permits, in violation of the law.
“It breaks your heart,” Farjun said. “Every artifact removed from its historical and archaeological context loses its scientific and cultural value. It damages the historical puzzle we all share.”
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The IAA said the suspect was questioned at the local police station overnight. A representative from the Israel Tax Authority also arrived at the scene and said the suspect was known from previous cases involving illegal antiquities trade.
IAA Director Eli Escusido stated: “The Antiquities Authority is determined to thwart the illegal trade in heritage items. These finds belong to the public and serve as tangible evidence of the country’s past. We will not allow them to be sold for personal profit.”
Following the investigation, the case will be transferred to the legal department of the Antiquities Authority for consideration of criminal charges.