News - Yemen: Yemeni archaeology expert Abdullah Mohsen has disclosed the upcoming sale of a rare Yemeni archaeological artifact at a public auction in the United States.

Mohsen announced on Facebook that the auction, scheduled for the evening of Sunday, March 24, 2024, in New York City, will feature the sale of a unique oil-burning lamp from Yemen's archaeological heritage.

The lamp, crafted from limestone, depicts a seated figure with bent knees, a round filling hole on top of its head, a loop at the back of its neck, and its arms embracing a protruding tortoise. The tortoise's head serves as the nozzle of the lamp, which stands at 12.4 cm in height.

Furthermore, Mohsen revealed that the lamp dates back to the 1st century BCE and was previously part of a private German collection acquired in 1985. It was previously sold at a Christie's auction on June 4, 2008, to Robert Haber, who is now offering it for sale in the upcoming auction.

The looting of Yemeni antiquities has surged since the onset of the US-Saudi aggression on Yemen. A report by the Huhud Center for Archaeological Studies highlighted over 2,600 Yemeni artifacts sold during this period, with a significant portion auctioned in the United States, totaling over $12 million. The Israeli market ranked third in sales, with around 500 archaeological items auctioned.

Additionally, the report documented over four thousand Yemeni pieces sold in Western countries through 16 global auctions between 1991 and 2022, underscoring a widespread issue.

This rampant plunder has led to the systematic destruction of archaeological and tourist sites in Yemen. The US-Saudi aggression has devastated approximately 270 archaeological sites and 360 tourist facilities, reflecting a deliberate policy targeting Yemen's heritage.

The savage war that claimed human lives and destroyed the stones in this country did not spare Yemen's history, which bears witness to the deep roots of this land and the authenticity of its citizens.