Italian Authorities Seize €8 Million Etruscan Artifacts

Italian authorities have seized approximately €8 million (about $8.5 million) worth of artifacts from an illegal excavation of an Etruscan burial site in Umbria. The operation revealed urns, sarcophagi, and other relics, including two sarcophagi believed to contain the remains of Etruscan princesses, one still with a skeleton inside. Authorities began their investigation in response to black market photographs that resembled items from a 2015 discovery by a farmer. Utilizing drones and phone taps, they located the excavation site owned by a businessman with earthmoving equipment. The Etruscan civilization thrived from 900 B.C. to 27 B.C. in central Italy, highlighting the cultural significance of these finds amid ongoing efforts to combat artifact trafficking. Two individuals are currently under investigation for their involvement in this illicit operation.