POLICE in Spain have recovered a 2nd Century AD bust of the Emperor Hadrian which had been plundered from an archaeological site in Seville and was being offered by smugglers on the black market for half a million euros.
Authorities got wind six months ago that several persons had been contacted by someone trying to sell an ancient bust of the emperor.Investigators ascertained the identity of an intermediary who was offering the sculpture to several potential buyers.
A stake-out revealed that members of a single family were offering the bust to potential buyers.
Using a search warrant, authorities last month spent hours combing a farm owned by the family before finally finding the bust buried under several centimeters of soil in a barn. Art experts authenticated the bust and put its estimated value at €500,000.
The bust has been transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Seville, where it is currently undergoing study by experts for public exhibition.
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