The looting of Yemen’s antiquities is surging in areas under Houthi control, as illegal excavations increasingly target historic sites rich in archaeological treasures. Experts accuse influential figures of shielding organized trafficking networks that loot and smuggle artifacts abroad, placing a significant part of Yemen’s cultural heritage at risk.
Experts say the provinces of Ibb and Dhamar, south of Sanaa, home to some of Yemen’s most important ancient cities and the capitals of early Yemeni kingdoms, have become hotspots for unauthorized excavations in recent months. Ancient cemeteries and archaeological sites are being systematically dug up in search of rare artifacts, while Yemeni antiquities are increasingly surfacing on illicit markets in the country and overseas.
Yemeni antiquities expert Abdullah Mohsen revealed that a collection of rare artifacts was recently offered for sale in the city of Yarim, in Ibb, just days after illegal excavations were carried out at several ancient cemeteries in the historic city of Zafar, the former capital of the Himyarite Kingdom.
The collection includes gold jewelry and valuable bronze artifacts, among them a rare gold dagger hilt dating to the first century AD. According to experts, it is only the third known example of its kind from the Himyarite era.
Mohsen said he received photographs of the artifacts from a Yemeni heritage enthusiast who requested anonymity for security reasons.
He added that the objects display unmistakable archaeological characteristics confirming their authenticity and scholarly value, and strongly suggest they originated from the recently looted burial sites.
Heritage experts say the close timing between the illegal excavations and the appearance of the artifacts on the black market are a clear sign that organized networks are systematically extracting and rapidly trafficking antiquities, exploiting weak oversight and the absence of effective protection for archaeological sites.
Rare discoveries
Archaeology professor Layla Aqil identified the gold object shown in the photographs as the hilt of a sword or dagger, crafted with intricate gold wirework and decorated with the Heracles knot, a motif widely used during the Hellenistic period between the first and third centuries AD as a symbol of strength and authority.
She said the hilt is only the third known example of its type, resembling two previously discovered daggers - one housed in the Museum of Islamic Art collection and the other unearthed at the Al-Asibiyah archaeological site.
Both feature delicate floral motifs inlaid with colored enamel, a further sign that the newly surfaced piece dates from the same period.
Aqil also noted that the twisted gold bracelets found in the collection represent a classic form of jewelry in ancient Yemen. Comparable examples have been excavated at Al-Asibiyah, Qaryat Al-Faw, and the Al-Hasmah site in Shaqrah, Abyan province, and are believed to date from between the first and third centuries AD.
Experts stress that the importance of these artifacts extends well beyond their monetary value. They provide critical evidence about the history of Yemen’s ancient kingdoms and the evolution of their craftsmanship, technology, and artistic traditions, making their loss an irreplaceable scientific and cultural setback.
Organized smuggling
Archaeologists have also warned of expanding antiquities trafficking networks operating in Ibb and Dhamar, saying illegal excavations have become increasingly frequent over recent months as institutions responsible for safeguarding cultural heritage have weakened and archaeological sites remain largely unprotected.
They said they possess information indicating that the rare artifacts are now in the hands of an influential network specializing in looting historic sites and trading antiquities.
According to their accounts, the group enjoys the backing and protection of influential figures in Houthi-controlled areas, enabling illegal excavations to continue and facilitating the organized smuggling of artifacts out of Yemen.
The experts warned that the destruction of archaeological sites results not only in the loss of historic objects but also in the irreversible destruction of archaeological layers and their scientific context, depriving researchers of historical evidence that can never be recovered and inflicting lasting damage on Yemen’s cultural legacy.
They called on the relevant authorities and international organizations responsible for protecting cultural heritage to act urgently by dismantling trafficking networks, recovering stolen collections, halting illegal excavations, and strengthening protection for archaeological sites.
