Citizen arrested for illegally excavating under his home

CAIRO - 19 November 2020: In coordination between the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the Minya Antiquities Zone, and the Tourism and Antiquities Police, a citizen was caught secretly digging inside his house for antiquities.

 

 

His house is located inside the residential block of Al-Bahnasa in Minya Governorate, which is under the authority of the Islamic Antiquities Sector.

 

 

Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri said that as soon as the Supreme Council of Antiquities was informed by the authorities, a committee of specialized archaeologists from Egyptian and Islamic antiquities was formed to inspect the findings. The committee was headed by the Director of Al-Bahnasa Antiquities.

 

 

Head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities Osama Talaat indicated that after inspection, a hole in the floor of the basement of the house measuring 70 cm x 70 cm was found.

 

 

This hole led to a room 4 meters deep, where a block was discovered which is likely from the foundations of a temple dating back to the late period.

 

 

Osama Talaat said that a report on the incident was filed, and all necessary legal actions are being taken by the committee.