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China makes mass arrests over stolen artefacts | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Police in China have taken 175 people into custody in what authorities are calling the country's biggest ever operation to recover stolen artefacts. | Police in China have taken 175 people into custody in what authorities are calling the country's biggest ever operation to recover stolen artefacts. |
The Ministry of Public Security said 1,168 cultural relics worth more than 500m yuan ($80m; £52m) had been found. | The Ministry of Public Security said 1,168 cultural relics worth more than 500m yuan ($80m; £52m) had been found. |
The artefacts are thought to be illegally excavated in Niuheliang, a Neolithic archaeological site in north-eastern Liaoning province. | The artefacts are thought to be illegally excavated in Niuheliang, a Neolithic archaeological site in north-eastern Liaoning province. |
The ministry said the activities of the looters had severely damaged the site. | The ministry said the activities of the looters had severely damaged the site. |
Among the artefacts was a coiled jade dragon, one of the earliest known depictions of the mythological creature, authorities said. | Among the artefacts was a coiled jade dragon, one of the earliest known depictions of the mythological creature, authorities said. |
Unesco says the Niuheliang archaeological site, which dates back 5,500-5,000 years, was a burial and sacrificial centre in the late Hongshan period. | Unesco says the Niuheliang archaeological site, which dates back 5,500-5,000 years, was a burial and sacrificial centre in the late Hongshan period. |
State media described the recovery as the biggest operation of its kind since the founding of modern China in 1949. | State media described the recovery as the biggest operation of its kind since the founding of modern China in 1949. |
'Sold fast' | 'Sold fast' |
The date of the recovery operation was not provided, but the ministry said in a statement that 1,000 police officer were involved. | The date of the recovery operation was not provided, but the ministry said in a statement that 1,000 police officer were involved. |
The looters were said to be split into 10 gangs that were responsible for everything from the excavation to the selling of the relics, according to China Daily. | The looters were said to be split into 10 gangs that were responsible for everything from the excavation to the selling of the relics, according to China Daily. |
Four archaeologists are also thought to be involved, the newspaper said. | Four archaeologists are also thought to be involved, the newspaper said. |
"Artefacts are sold at a fast speed and traded frequently in a short time," said Cai Binghui, a police officer who was involved with the case according to China Daily. | "Artefacts are sold at a fast speed and traded frequently in a short time," said Cai Binghui, a police officer who was involved with the case according to China Daily. |
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