Police find antiquities worth NIS 200,000 in Palestinian man’s home

A joint IDF and police search of a private Palestinian home in the northern West Bank uncovered valuable ancient millstones, Israel Police said Tuesday.

The artifacts, found in the Palestinian village of Um Reihan, near Jenin, were estimated to be worth around NIS 200,000 ($56,500), a police statement said.

A resident of the village was detained for questioning by police, who were assisted by investigators from the Israel Antiquities Authority.

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Ancient millstones found in a private home in the village of Um Reihan in the northern West Bank, February 13, 2018. (Israel Police)

The suspect told police that he had found the millstones.

The investigation is ongoing.

“Israel police, together with the IDF and the Israel Antiquities Authority, will continue in their determined operations to locate and seize property and artifacts that are held illegally,” police said.

At the end of January a man was discovered using a metal detector to search for coins at the Haluza UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the southern Negev region of Israel.

He was found to be in possession of 150 Byzantine-era coins.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.