Ukraine’s Stolen Ancient Artefacts Found in Spain

• Spain seizes €60 million worth of Scythian jewelry believed stolen from Ukraine.
• 11 ancient gold pieces, dating from the 8th to 4th Centuries BC, were smuggled from Ukraine.
• Five prior arrests related to a 2021 gold belt sale.

Spanish authorities have confiscated Scythian jewelry valued at €60 million (£52 million), which they claim was stolen from Ukraine.

According to the police, these 11 ancient gold pieces, including bracelets, necklaces, and earrings dating from the 8th to 4th Centuries BC, were illicitly transported out of Ukraine in 2016 with the intention of being sold in Spain.

The items were accompanied by counterfeit documents falsely asserting their affiliation with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Prior to this incident, five individuals had been arrested in connection with an inquiry into the 2021 sale of a gold belt featuring rams’ heads.

The Scythians, a nomadic group that exerted influence over regions of eastern Europe and Asia, including present-day southern Ukraine, between 800 BC and 400 AD, were renowned for their valuable cultural heritage and their expertise in crafting intricate gold jewelry.

In a separate development, Ukrainian authorities reported last week that they had reclaimed 14 archaeological artifacts that were allegedly stolen from areas under Russian occupation.

A Russian man was detained while attempting to smuggle these items into the United States. Among the recovered items is a Neolithic axe, estimated to date from approximately 5,000 to 3,000 BC.

“It’s safe to say that Ukraine has received a new shipment of weaponry. The only catch is that this weaponry is incredibly ancient,” Ukraine’s acting Minister of Culture Rostyslav Karandieiev wryly noted at a news conference.

Artifacts produced by the Scythian civilization represent a prominent part of Ukraine’s renowned historical heritage.

Ukrainian archaeologists contend that Scythian gold, which is housed in Ukrainian museums situated in regions under Russian control, has been subject to looting since the onset of the extensive invasion last year.

The calculated losses resulting from the purported Russian appropriation of Ukraine’s historical and artistic legacy are believed to amount to hundreds of millions of euros.

Also Read

China’s Toddler Mauling Triggers Dog Crackdown

Chinese authorities crack down on stray, unregistered, and oversized dogs. Criticism arises...

To stay informed about current events, please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BOLUrduNews/.
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/bolnewsurdu01 and stay updated with the latest news.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/3Tv8a3P to watch news from Pakistan and around the world.