Libya

Misurata Hoard

constantinakatsari April 22, 2012

I am bloging from cloudy Rome, where I participated in the Conference on the infamous MIsurata Hoard. The hoard comes from the wider area of Misurata in Libya and consists of around 107.000 low denomination coins. The last coin in the hoard is dated in 333 AD. During the conference we came to the conlcusion that this is a unique, one of its kind hoard. And yet, it can be compared with other finds from northern Africa, Italy, even the Balkans. Most of the papers focused on the circulation of coin... »

Illicit trade of antiquities in Libya

constantinakatsari November 12, 2011

“London (CNN) — The looting of a large collection of priceless coins, statues and jewelry from a bank vault during Libya’s recent civil war has highlighted the risk of looting during times of conflict. Interpol is hunting for the hoard of Roman and Hellenistic objects — dubbed the “Benghazi Treasure” –stolen from the city’s Commercial Bank in May 2011. But the theft is not an isolated incident. According to UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General... »