Antiquities Theft

Rare coins returned to Israel in international operation

Rare ancient coins returned from USA to the State of Israel following joint investigation, including coin bearing image of Second Temple's seven-branched menorah.

Muslim doctor caught smuggling 2,000-year-old coins at checkpoint

Under the pretext of Ramadan Temple Mount prayers: Muslim hospital doctor caught at the Hizma Checkpoint attempting to smuggle rare 2,000-year-old coins engraved in ancient Hebrew script into Israel.

Sheltering with thieves:

Looters caught excavating antiquities amid missile sirens

Suspected antiquities looters were caught excavating in northern Israel and forced into shelters with officers as missile sirens sounded overhead.

IDF recovers rare artifacts looted from archaeological site

IDF Civil Administration forces seized dozens of rare artifacts looted from the Burj Lisana site in Area B after illegal construction caused severe damage to centuries-old remains.

Dimona:

Suspect who stole ancient artifacts arrested

Police searched the home of a suspected illegal antiquities dealer and found hundreds of ancient coins, arrowheads, pottery, and other artifacts from periods ranging from the Iron Age until the Muslim period.

Antiquity looters caught red-handed digging in ancient well

Antiquity looters caught digging for treasure and destroying historical evidence, following a southern Bedouin myth.

Rare quarter-shekel coin handed over to State of Israel

Extremely rare quarter-shekel coin, minted by Jewish rebels in the Great Revolt 2,000 years ago, is handed over to Israel in US ceremony.

Man suspected of selling antiquities is arrested

Man suspected of stealing thousands of archaeological artifacts from various periods is arrested near Shechem.

Second Temple era burial caves totally neglected

Multiple historical sites in Jerusalem targeted by vandals, used by drug addicts, raided by antiquities thieves.

Arab antiquities thieves sentenced to prison

Prison and probation for Arabs caught stealing Samarian antiquities.

Arab antiquity thieves: 'Lowlifes'

Kfar Etzion Field School warns against damage to historic site and antiquities theft in spring near Tekoa after signs of excavation found.

Antiquities theft: 'A widespread and destructive phenomenon'

Arab antiquities thieves nabbed at archaeological site mentioned in the Book of Joshua.

Police nab antiquities thieves red handed raiding ancient ruins

Authorities catch Bedouin antiquities thieves red-handed at ancient ruins.

700 year-old Tanach discovered

Book with unique gold decorations written on deerskin discovered; four suspects planned to sell ancient book for total of $1.9 million.

Watch: Family catches antiquity thief in the act

Man filmed searching for relics with metal detector at archaeological site near Modiin.

'They're stealing our history!'

Arab tomb raiders caught in the act, pillaging an ancient Jewish burial ground.

Israel wards off looters of antiquity high above the Dead Sea

Complex operation to excavate the 'Cave of Skulls' in Judean Desert involves one of the world's most unique anti-theft efforts.

'Revolutionary' court victory against antiquity thieves

High Court rejects motion by antiquities dealers, who will now be forced to register their whole inventory.

Palestinian Drafts Kids to Rob Antiquities Because of 'Demon'

Issawiya resident tells children a 'demon' hid 'treasure' in important Second Temple-era cave, is caught by IAA.

Arab Antiquities Robbers Caught in the Act

7 residents of Bedouin town Rahat in Negev found while digging up coins from 2,000 years ago and causing irreversible damage.

Antiquities Thieves Caught Red-Handed in Judean Desert Caves

Arab thieves caused significant damage to ancient site in an attempt to pilfer artifacts dating back to pre-Roman period.

Arabs Caught Red Handed Robbing Ancient Grave

Three suspects were caught inside 1st century cave near Kibbutz Metzer.

Greece: Antiquities Safer in the Ground

After an antiquities theft ring was rounded up and stolen items recovered, exasperated officials are reburying treasures to keep them safe.