[CPProt.net] 17, 800 Archaeological objects from Morocco and Mali seized by French Customs

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Archaeological objects from Morocco and Mali seized by French Customs 
 
Morocco TIMES  12/29/2005 | 3:41 pm GMT 
  
During November and December, French Customs officials in southern France
seized nearly 17,800 archaeological objects taken illegally from Morocco and
Mali, announced the French minister for the Economy, reported MAP news
agency. 
 
  
  Moroccan rock engraving at Ain Ouarzik. Ph: Susan Searight-Martinet: 
http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=49&id=11817

 
The first confiscation, which took place in Arles on Nov 15, was the most
important of these operations, since the Customs officials discovered more
than 17,600 archaeological objects in a vehicle registered in Morocco and on
its way to Germany. 

These objects included very valuable fossils from southern Morocco, such as
"trilobites, large marine insects of the Primary Era, over 250 million years
old, a dinosaur jaw dating from the Secondary Era as well as turtle and
crocodile skulls of Tertiary age (60 million years ago)" explained the
French ministry. African art objects were also among the illegally exported
articles.

The second confiscation, made by the Perpignan Customs on Dec 14, concerned
124 Neolithic items made up of stone pendants, arrow-heads, necklaces and
rock engravings, said the same source. Concerning the rock engravings, the
report noted that "these objects are proofs of the Neolithic rock art of the
present Sahel". 

In a declaration to the press, a spokesman of the Interregional Department
of the Marseille Customs declared that the items confiscated near Arles
could be handed over to museums.