Sharjah: An antiquities expert has called for a federal law safeguarding antiquities to halt trade in these unique artefacts across all emirates.
"We need to have a federal antiquities law that prevents the buying and selling of historical artefacts all over the country, as Sharjah is currently the only emirate that has one," said Dr Sabbah Jasem, head of the Sharjah Directorate of Antiquities.
Speaking at the opening of a new exhibition at the Archaeology Museum, Dr Jasem said anyone who removes antiquities from archeological sights will be prosecuted for theft.
"The only people allowed to handle antiquities have to be affiliated with a museum or must have special permission from the relevant authorities."
A special exhibition of seized antiquities highlighting the illegal trade will run until July 15 in Sharjah. All the antiquities displayed originated from Azerbaijan.
The artefacts were destined for the European antiquities market, but were intercepted by Sharjah Customs officials.
Dr Jasem said some smugglers pass through Sharjah. Most smuggled goods originate from Iran, Iraq and Turkey and are shipped from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Most recently, on April 15, a ship was confiscated containing spearheads and ancient weapons that were brought from Pakistan, according to Dr Jasem.
Preserving antiquities is of great importance to the Directorate of Antiquities as it is a way of preserving cultural heritage.
Stealing antiquities not only weakens the role of museums, but it also weakens the process of documenting, surveying and putting the artefacts into context.
Mohammad Al Rayeesi, officer-in-charge at the Customs Centre, Department of Seaports and Customs, said the majority of confiscated antiquities come through Sharjah Airport and Khor Sharjah.
"To save time and cut down on the number of inspectors at Khor Fakkan Port, we now use an X-ray machine that can scan an entire ship. The machine can spot anything illegal."
