Spanish authorities are investigating a father and son who were found in possession of ancient Roman artefacts, which they had used to decorate their fish shop in Alicante.
Officers with Spain’s Civil Guard noticed the unusually archaic-looking adornments while carrying out a routine inspection of the fishmongers.
They immediately called for assistance from the Ministry of Culture to identify and care for the ancient urns, which had been left exposed to the elements inside the fish shop for a prolonged period of time.
Incautadas 13?ánforas romanas en un establecimiento de productos pesqueros congelados en #SantaPola La Patrulla de Comandancia del #SEPRONA de Alicante las descubrió durante una inspecciónHan instruido diligencias por un delito contra el patrimonio histórico y receptación pic.twitter.com/QtDD6DhEXy
Experts identified 13 Roman amphorae dating back possibly as far as the first century AD, along with a metal anchor from the 18th century, and a limestone plate with an inscription which reads: “East.”
One of the vases, believed to have been used to transport olive oil, fish or wine from the Iberian Peninsula to Rome, is reportedly particularly rare. All of the relics were transferred to the Santa Pola Sea Museum for further investigation and safe keeping.
The son reportedly found the objects while fishing in the sea and thought they would make nice decorations at the family business. Spanish authorities did not agree, and are instead charging the pair with crimes against historical heritage.
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