Maysan: Maysan Provincial Police Command announced that its Antiquities and Heritage Protection units had thwarted an illegal excavation attempt at an archaeological site in the province, as part of ongoing inspection campaigns aimed at safeguarding archaeological sites and preventing encroachments.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the command stated that the specialized units detected two individuals carrying out unlawful digging and excavation activities at the site. They were immediately pursued but managed to flee the scene, leaving behind their tools.

The statement added that the operation resulted in the seizure of three ancient gold coins dating back to the Abbasid era, along with several illegal excavation tools, including a metal-detecting sonar device, as well as a hunting weapon.

Maysan Police Command affirmed the continuation of its security efforts to protect the province’s cultural and historical heritage, stressing the importance of public cooperation and reporting any suspicious activities that contribute to preserving Iraq’s antiquities and preventing their vandalism.