The phenomenon of smuggling and theft of archaeological treasures in Tunisia is not limited to organized gangs, but has extended to former residents of the presidential palace; the ousted Ben Ali and his in-laws.

Seeing the looted palaces that turned into museums of rare antiquities on television was not a familiar scene for Tunisians. The same authority that seemed to be the trusty hand for 23 years re-emerged as a thief.

The phenomenon of smuggling and theft of archaeological treasures in Tunisia is not limited to organized gangs, but has extended to former residents of the presidential palace; the ousted Ben Ali and his in-laws.

Seeing the looted palaces that turned into museums of rare antiquities on television was not a familiar scene for Tunisians. The same authority that seemed to be the trusty hand for 23 years re-emerged as a thief.

Even the names of some officials of the National Institute of Heritage (INP) in charge of the protection of archaeological sites are mentioned in the list of those involved in theft and plundering.

At the end of October 2012, Tunis Court of Appeal issued sentences of five years imprisonment against the INP Director, Beji Ben Mami, two years imprisonment against Farouk Hamza, a Ministry of Culture employee, and five years imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 Dinars (US $9,678) against Sakhr El Materi, Ben Ali’s son-in-law.

However, this has not prevented organized gangs from continuing the smuggling and digging up archaeological sites, particularly in unguarded areas.

Siliana and looted antiques

One kilometer away from Bargou in midwestern Tunisia, Saleh, who initially refused to talk, said, “Digging up archaeological sites has become a familiar phenomenon and we sell rare antiques worth billions for a handful of dinars.”

Saleh lives in a rich community.  A gang specialized in digging up and smuggling artifacts convinced him to dig an archaeological site on his land and share the profit with them, leaving no evidence but stones flung up stones.

Not far from Bargou, archaeological caves were converted to a place to extract coal. “Dekkaneh” and “Khatifeh” sites which date back to 3000 B.C. have been violated.

Abdurrahman Hammami, a Culture Directorate official in Siliana Governorate, stresses that the people’s ignorance of surrounding archaeological sites is the great disaster that has contributed to the effacing of the history of successive civilizations.  “Criminality imprints are incalculable as they are related to organized mafia,” Hammami said.

Thélepte’s loss of memory

Including a third of archaeological sites in Tunisia, Kasserine witnesses the effects of the investors’ and organized gangs’ crime that are still interestingly documented.

Thélepte is located on the road between Gafsa and Kairouan, passing through Sbeïtla and Kasserine, where many civilizations, such as the Roman, Carthaginian and Numidian, once existed.

A businessman, a partner of Ben Ali’s in-laws, built his factory to transform stones in the heart of the archaeological sites whose area is no more than five kilometers. The area people have real concerns about since archaeological treasures are being packed on the pretext of converting stones, without obtaining a license, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

A researcher, who preferred anonymity is horrified. “Unfortunately, the power of money, the masters of the palace, businessmen and organized gangs have looted our homeland’s memory. Bride of Tacfarinas Revolution, Thélepte, and its trans-civilizational history are being packed in bags and smuggled abroad,” he explained.

Scary numbers

The INS reports on the phenomenon of excavation and exploration of archaeological sites point to more than 40 cases of assault and vandalism since the January 2011 revolution.

The director of Heritage Preservation and Appreciation says, “The number of archaeological sites goes beyond the capacities of supervising authorities; organized gangs and some people exploit circumstantial issues due to insecurity and chaos for theft and looting.”

She adds that the judiciary will prosecute criminals, from Ben Ali and his in-laws to all those who contributed to the theft and looting of the country’s history. She suggests that the Ministry of Culture is also in the process of writing a national report on all the violations that have been recorded since the deposed Ben Ali era until today.