Libyan revolutionaries, rebelling against the rule of Moammar Gadhafi reportedly took a number of second and third cent. A.D. Roman antiquities from loyalist troops on August 20th, as revolutionary forces were entering the capital Tripoli. It is said they were "seized from a truck on the road to Tripoli's airport" and it is suspected that "Gadhafi's forces wanted to smuggle them out of the country and sell them". The 17 ancient Roman figurines apparently from the collections of the Tripoli archaeological museum were put on display today there as "an important recovery of national treasures. The pieces include a female figurine and several small human busts in marble, as well as two pottery fragments". So where were these "figurines" for over three months and why are they being shown just now?
Associated Press, 'Libyans recover looted Roman antiquities', Nov 26th 2011.
Vignette: Seized from a truck by rebels in Libya.
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