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Spain Police Seize 1,900-Year-Old Roman Bust amid Trove of Archaeological Treasures

Tourists protect themselves from the sun as they are visiting the Royal Palace in Madrid city center under very high temperatures, on June 26, 2023. (AFP)
Tourists protect themselves from the sun as they are visiting the Royal Palace in Madrid city center under very high temperatures, on June 26, 2023. (AFP)
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Spain Police Seize 1,900-Year-Old Roman Bust amid Trove of Archaeological Treasures

Tourists protect themselves from the sun as they are visiting the Royal Palace in Madrid city center under very high temperatures, on June 26, 2023. (AFP)
Tourists protect themselves from the sun as they are visiting the Royal Palace in Madrid city center under very high temperatures, on June 26, 2023. (AFP)

Spanish police on Monday seized a 1,900-year-old Roman marble bust among a trove of 119 archaeological objects found during a raid conducted as part of an investigation to dismantle a trafficking ring.

Police found the artworks in a storage room in Baena - a town near Cordoba in the southern Andalusia region - and said a married couple had been arrested on suspicion of trying to sell art treasures on the black market.

The "unique and absolutely exceptional" marble bust carved in the first third of the second century AD bears the same features as portraits of imperial princesses of the time, police said in a statement.

Its "artistic quality is similar to (the pieces) exhibited in great museums like the Louvre or the Capitoline Museums in Rome," it added.

The other seized objects comprised rare Greek, Roman and Ibero-Roman sculptures, architectural fragments, ceramics and coins, police said, adding that they had been transferred to the Cordoba Archaeological Museum.

The couple face potential charges of illegal trafficking in archaeological objects, smuggling and receiving stolen goods.

The seizure in Baena was part of a Spanish-led international investigation, dubbed PANDORA VII, that has secured the recovery of 1,079 art objects and the arrest of 19 people with the support of European police agency Europol and Interpol.

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Culture

King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah Fosters Cultural Activity in Qassim

The center holds significant cultural and social value, featuring facilities, halls, and theaters that host diverse events, festivals, exhibitions, and forums - SPA
The center holds significant cultural and social value, featuring facilities, halls, and theaters that host diverse events, festivals, exhibitions, and forums - SPA
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King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah Fosters Cultural Activity in Qassim

The center holds significant cultural and social value, featuring facilities, halls, and theaters that host diverse events, festivals, exhibitions, and forums - SPA
The center holds significant cultural and social value, featuring facilities, halls, and theaters that host diverse events, festivals, exhibitions, and forums - SPA

The King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah is a prominent cultural landmark in Qassim Region. It holds significant cultural and social value, featuring facilities, halls, and theaters that host diverse events, festivals, exhibitions, and forums.

Official spokesperson for the Qassim Region Municipality Nayef Al-Nufai stated that the center serves as a vibrant space for activities and programs that bring together various segments of society, providing an ideal environment for specialized events and professional gatherings, SPA reported.

He added that the municipality is committed to maximizing the utility of such cultural facilities, ensuring they serve the community effectively, align with residents' aspirations, invigorate cultural and tourism activity, and elevate Buraidah's urban landscape.

Culture

Northern Borders Region’s Heritage Preserves Cultural Identity

Folk arts are another integral part of the region’s social fabric, characterized by rhythmic performances and communal chants that express courage, enthusiasm, and social cohesion - SPA
Folk arts are another integral part of the region’s social fabric, characterized by rhythmic performances and communal chants that express courage, enthusiasm, and social cohesion - SPA
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Northern Borders Region’s Heritage Preserves Cultural Identity

Folk arts are another integral part of the region’s social fabric, characterized by rhythmic performances and communal chants that express courage, enthusiasm, and social cohesion - SPA
Folk arts are another integral part of the region’s social fabric, characterized by rhythmic performances and communal chants that express courage, enthusiasm, and social cohesion - SPA

Northern Borders Region preserves a diverse intangible cultural heritage, including social customs, folk arts, and knowledge rooted in desert life that remain deeply embedded in the local community's consciousness and daily practices.

The region evokes its collective memory and cultural heritage through social practices passed down through generations, including generosity, hospitality, and traditional gathering spaces where community members meet to exchange news and ideas, SPA reported.

Saudi coffee is also central, along with the etiquette and traditions surrounding its preparation and service, which embody the values of welcoming others and fostering social connection.

Folk arts are another integral part of the region’s social fabric, characterized by rhythmic performances and communal chants that express courage, enthusiasm, and social cohesion.

The region’s traditional way of life is reflected in various crafts and manual practices developed to meet the needs of desert life. This includes specialized knowledge of camels and traditional methods for traveling and living in the desert, as well as the expertise gained from navigating its challenging climatic conditions.

Culture

Jazan’s Traditional Sweets Preserve Culinary Heritage, Cultural Identity

Halqum, meanwhile, has a soft, elastic, gelatinous texture and comes in various flavors and colors depending on its ingredients and preparation methods - SPA
Halqum, meanwhile, has a soft, elastic, gelatinous texture and comes in various flavors and colors depending on its ingredients and preparation methods - SPA
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Jazan’s Traditional Sweets Preserve Culinary Heritage, Cultural Identity

Halqum, meanwhile, has a soft, elastic, gelatinous texture and comes in various flavors and colors depending on its ingredients and preparation methods - SPA
Halqum, meanwhile, has a soft, elastic, gelatinous texture and comes in various flavors and colors depending on its ingredients and preparation methods - SPA

Traditional sweets in Jazan Region tell a story that goes beyond their taste, evoking customs passed down through generations, with some varieties becoming familiar and cherished. Mashbak and Halqum are among these sweets, combining visual appeal with familiar flavors.

Mashbak is usually made from a dough mixture shaped into interwoven strands, then fried until golden, SPA reported.

Halqum, meanwhile, has a soft, elastic, gelatinous texture and comes in various flavors and colors depending on its ingredients and preparation methods. Differences in texture and shape give each sweet its own distinctive character within a diverse world of confectionery preparation and presentation.

Food heritage is an important way to introduce the cultural identity of different regions. Understanding a place extends beyond its natural and historical landmarks to include its local products and the customs, skills, and practices passed down through generations.

From this perspective, traditional sweets represent part of the cultural experience through which visitors can discover aspects of daily life and local hospitality.