Stolen antiques seized by Sharjah Customs on display

Priceless antique jewellery as well as historical items stolen from Sharjah's archaeological sites that were seized by Customs have been put up for display at the Bait Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamed Al Qasimi Museum in Kalba. These smuggled artefacts were stolen from the digs to fetch a fortune in the international antiquities black market. Some were taken as "souvenirs" for homes. The display, organised by Sharjah Museums Department, includes jewellery from ancient tombs in the central region of Sharjah. There is also a ceramic bowl containing gold jewellery that was "rescued" from being sold illegally in Europe. Another stolen gold necklace and bangle set from an unknown location and era is on display as well. Some of the items are from Maliha an early settlement unearthed east of Sharjah city and believed to be a gold mine of relics from the past. Others like centuries-old ceramic vessels believed to be from prehistoric Iran and Azerbaijan were caught by officials en route to underground European markets. From / Gulf News