Polish Police Hold Investigations On The Discovery Of Bronze-Time Artifacts

Bronze Age Artifacts found in Poland. (Source: Polish Police)

JAKARTA - The Polish police launched an investigation after a collection of more than 100 Bronze Age artifacts surfaced unexpectedly in the northwestern region of the country last month.

The discovery came to light when photos of artifacts, including weapons, bronze spears, necklaces and shield handles, were shared with the Provincial Heritage Protection Office in Szczecin City, according to a statement from the West Pomerania Police.

When a specialist investigator in art theft tracked down the people who had shared the photos, they said the artifact had been left anonymously outside a local historical association in the city of Gryfino.

The historical association then handed over the artifact to the Provincial Heritage Protection Office in Szczecin, which reported a crime in the form of a treasure discovery without permission.

"The treasure was obtained through illegal searches and then excavated, causing it to lose its archaeological context completely," the police said, adding this made radiocarbon dating impossible, reported by CNN November 14.

"This is one of the greatest treasures found in Poland in recent years," they said.

Those responsible for facing an eight-year prison sentence, according to the statement.

The artifacts have been moved to the Provincial Heritage Conservator office in Szczecin, which will decide where the items will eventually be stored.