Treasure hunters in the Çamdibi neighborhood of Bursa's İznik district attempted to conduct illegal excavations on a Roman-era rock tomb around 02:00 at night using acid they had brought with them.
Teams from the İznik District Gendarmerie Command caught the treasure hunters in the act.
The 3 individuals brought before the court were arrested.
HOLES WERE DRILLED
Citizens who saw the current state of the tomb were outraged. It was observed that the rock tomb, which has been declared a 1st-degree archaeological site, has reached the brink of destruction. The fact that the treasure hunters drilled holes in many parts of the tomb using chemical acid was also captured on camera.
'THEY TRIED TO BLOW IT UP WITH DYNAMITE'
Çamdibi Neighborhood Headman Halil Küçüker said, "Our historical rock tomb, which is one of the most important monuments of our neighborhood and İznik, has become a target. They previously tried to blow it up with dynamite. Our monument must be taken under protection immediately."
News Source : 12punto
