A unique artifact of the Roman Empire was rescued in Odesa from illegal sale. This artifact, which began to be sold at an online auction for 40 thousand hryvnias, will be transferred to the museum for further research, reports 'Glavkom' citing the Odesa regional prosecutor's office.
It is known that the attempt to sell the artifact was made by an Odesa resident through an internet auction. Maksym Levada from the National Museum of History of Ukraine explained that this lace-like plate with the inscription 'VICTOR I UTERE FELIX' is related to the warrior culture of the 2nd–3rd centuries of the Roman Empire. After the identity of the seller was discovered and the artifact was seized, an examination is being conducted to confirm the authenticity and cultural value of the found artifact.
The prosecutor's office emphasizes that this is already the second case of successful cooperation between archaeologists and prosecutors in preventing the illegal sale of valuable historical artifacts. Earlier, a fibula from the 1st–2nd centuries, associated with the Marcomannic wars of the Roman Empire, was saved, which had been put up for auction for 170 thousand hryvnias.
Conclusion
A unique artifact of the Roman Empire was rescued in Odesa from illegal sale and will be transferred to the museum for further research. This is already the second case where the cooperation of archaeologists and prosecutors helped prevent the illegal circulation of historical valuables.