The Sofia Echo reports:

The unexplored Roman fortress of Trimammium near the village of Mechka in Rousse has been ravished by treasure-hunters, Dnevnik daily reported on February 12 2009, quoting local archaeologists who informed police.[…]

During his presentation in Rousse, Vurbanov revealed photos showing more than 30 shallow holes dotting the site, obviously dug with the help of a metal-detector and spade. Treasure-hunters have also “explored” another part of the site, yet to be researched by archaeologists, the newspaper said.

Roman fortress near Rousse ravished by treasure-hunters

Various news venues are reporting the arrest of a man near Thessaloniki (the actual town varies depending on the report) who was found with a pile of items … as described by the IHT:

The confiscated antiquities included more than 1,500 silver and copper coins dating from the 4th century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D., Halkidiki anti-crime squad director Giorgos Tassiopoulos said. Police seized another 680 clay and bronze artifacts, including vases, lamps, statuettes and jewelry.

… there was also a preColumbian statuette found amongst the items; not sure what to read into that …

• Greek man arrested with stash of antiquities (IHT)

• Man arrested on illicit trade in antiquities charges (ANA)

• Greek man arrested with stash of antiquities (MSNBC … includes a photo of the preColumbian thing)

• Greek man arrested with stash of antiquities (Chronicle)

A few years ago a number of items from the so-called treasures of King Croesus were purloined from a museum in Turkey and replaced with fakes. Today we read that the former museum director and a handful of his colleagues have been found guilty of the theft.

• Thieves of Croesus riches jailed (BBC)

• 10 jailed in Turkey for stealing Croesus’ treasure (IHT)

• 10 jailed in Turkey for stealing Croesus’ treasure (MSNBC)

• Turkey jails 10 for stealing ancient treasures (Hurriyet)

The Copenhagen Post relates what appears to be the next repatriation case … here’s the salient bit:

The issue first came to light in 2006 when Italy requested the return of six Etruscan pieces from the museum in connection with an international operation against an illegal art dealing syndicate. But for more than two years the museum and the Danish culture ministry gave various reasons for not co-operating in the investigation.

In December 2008, the Italians presented a list of 100 artefacts that they believed were acquired illegally and wanted returned. The Glyptoteket management refused to oblige, stating that many of the objects on the list were purchased legally after the former administrators, who are suspected of purchasing the alleged illegal artefacts, left their positions at the museum.

… but here’s the clincher:

Many of the illegal artefacts purchased by Glyptoteket during the 1970s were from art dealers Robert Hecht and Giacomo Medici. Medici was found guilty of dealing in stolen goods in Italy in 2004, while the case against Hecht is still ongoing.

• Ambassador mediates in a case of stolen artefacts

I was wondering about this one a couple of days ago … there’s a brief AP report just hitting the ewaves that the trial of Marion True and Robert Hecht has resumed in Rome. Nothing much new, yet, but the focus appears to be on Robert Hecht right now.

• Trial Resumes for Former Curator (New York Times)