A nighttime raid on the Jbeil archaeology museum in Lebanon has resulted in the thievery of 30 small artifacts according to a report by The Daily Star.
Culture Minister Gaby Layoun told press that the artifacs were stolen overnight and were small enough to be easily transported out of the Jbeil museum. Layoun also noted that the stolen artifacts held significant material, historical and emotional value and expressed hope that the items will be recovered and returned to the museum.
A police investigation has been launched, with several officers and local and government officials arriving at the museum to inspect the scene. Forensic experts have also visited the museum in the hopes of uncovering fingerprints left behind by the thieves.
Since the theft occurred, Layoun has also met with the mayor of Jbeil, Ziad Hawwat, and the qaimaqam of Jbeil, Najwa Soueidan Farah, to discuss the current investigations.
The Jbeil archaeology museum is located in Byblos which is renowned as one of the richest archaeological sites in all of Lebanon. It features displays of historical artifacts and objects which examine the history of Jbeil and its people during the pre-historic period and the Middle Ages.
Apart from the museum, Byblos also contains its own archaeological site located on the coast of Lebanon not far from the capital city of Beirut.
Byblos is not only known for its archaeological wonders, but also for being one of the oldest continuously habited towns in the world. Archaeological excavations have uncovered that the town was occupied at least as early as the Neolithic period before developing a settlement in the 4th millennium BC.
The ancient ruins of the town were discovered by French historian Ernest Renan, while excavations began taking place in 1921 led by Pierre Montet. Today, visitors can view the Crusader fortifications and gate, a Roman colonnade and small theatre, Phoenician ramparts, three major temples, and a necropolis, as well as remains of Neolithic dwellings.
Due to its rich archaeological history, the town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
