Gold antiques dating back to the second century have been stolen from an ancient archaeological site in Pakistan apparently due to negligence of officials.
Sirkap, also known as the second city of Taxila, 300 kms from Lahore, is a UNESCO-protected heritage site since 1980.
"A large number of the stolen antiquities - a necklace with multi-coloured gems, bangles and other jewellery worth millions of rupees have been stolen from Sirkap last week. The antiquities could be centuries old," Punjab Archaeology Department Director General Chaudhry Mohammad Ijaz said.
He said the department had awarded a contract for the restoration of an ancient archaeological site in Sirkap to a local contractor.
"On November 12, during preservation work, some labourers had found gold antiquities that included earrings, bangles, nickels and other small pieces while removing wild grass from the remains of a residential complex located at the eastern side of the site at the back of the apsidal temple and stole them," Ijaz said.
He said the labourers sought deals for the stolen ornaments with local antique dealers.
"After reports of the deals surfaced the department got a case registered against the labourers with police," he said, adding some labourers have been arrested but no ornaments were recovered so far.
"We have formed a high-level committee to probe the matter and fix the responsibility of the theft," he said.
The last excavation of the site was carried out under the supervision of John Marshall in 1912-1930 during which gold ornaments were recovered which are now on display at the Taxila Museum.
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