A Yemeni researcher interested in archeology revealed the sale of a piece of ancient Yemeni antiquities dating back to the first century AD at an international auction in France two years ago.

Abdullah Mohsen, an independent researcher interested in tracking and monitoring antiquities smuggled from his country, said in a post on his Facebook page that a tombstone from the first century AD was smuggled from Sanaa to Switzerland to Paris to Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco to the unknown.

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He explained that the piece “probably left Yemen in 1988, making its way to Switzerland, where the secret bank accounts were, then heading after a while to Paris and from there to the Monte Carlo Auction House to be offered for sale as part of a separate collection for the benefit of the Red Cross in Monaco on May 12, 2021.” .

He added, “A rectangular iconographic stele, dating back to the first century AD, from the antiquities of Yemen, engraved on the top with a man’s face from the front, oval in shape and characterized by stylized features, large, hollow almond-shaped eyes, studded sockets, and hollow pupils, characterized by brow bones.” The arcuate is a simple line extending beyond the outer corner of the eye

The Yemeni expert continued, “The nose is long and straight, the mouth is barely open, surmounted by a mustache represented by two rows of dots, and the hair is vaguely represented by traces of tools that suggest a short, wavy mass and leave the ears exposed. The facial features are decorated with a beard. Unlike most of the distinctive paintings from Of this period, this painting is distinguished by its impressive relief work and delicate expression. Below the neck, there is a partially missing cushion inscription.

Yemeni antiquities and manuscripts were subjected to a process of being bulldozed, looted, vandalized, and smuggled out of the country, especially in recent years, as a result of the war, and they were sold in countries such as the United States, Britain, Germany, France, and Israel.