More than 1,500 pieces of Mallorcan archaeological heritage that three Germans tried to loot have been recovered.

PalmThe Civil Guard has seized more than 1,500 pieces of great heritage and historical value in Mallorca, after discovering that three German citizens residing on the island had accumulated them over the years, allegedly illegally. Among the confiscated items are 1,574 ancient coins, amphorae, unguent jars, lamps, jugs, jewelry, sculptures, and swords. The investigation began in October 2024, when an elderly woman was stopped at Palma airport carrying approximately 50 coins dating from the Greek era to the Middle Ages. Her cooperative attitude allowed officers to locate the rest of the collection at her residence in Cales de Mallorca (Manacor).

This Thursday, the Island Councillor for Culture, Antònia Roca, displayed some of the artifacts at the Museum of Mallorca. All the objects will be analyzed by heritage specialists, who will determine their origin, archaeological value, and, in some cases, their economic value. For the moment, only the coins have been studied. These include Greek pieces, coins from Imperial Rome, and coins from later periods up to the Middle Ages, many with handwritten inscriptions indicating their provenance.

Technicians are investigating whether the pieces come from sites in Mallorca or the Mediterranean, while the Island Council warns of the "incalculable archaeological damage" caused by illegal extraction. Maria Gràcia Salvà, director of the Museum of Mallorca, reminds everyone that "the artifacts speak in their original locations, not outside of them" and urges anyone who discovers them to report it to the authorities. The case, which is under investigation by the Manacor court, could affect the main suspect, who, according to the Civil Guard, may have died. All the material is protected under Spanish Historical Heritage regulations and will become the property of the Consell de Mallorca (Island Council of Mallorca) once the court issues a ruling.

The Minister of Culture has expressed her gratitude for the work of the Civil Guard and the Consell's Heritage Service, as well as for the collaboration of the public, and has highlighted that this is one of the largest archaeological interventions carried out in Mallorca. The case is reminiscent of other emblematic discoveries on the island, such as the Roman shipwreck of Ses Fontanelles, found in 2019 60 meters off the coast of Playa de Palma, containing some 300 amphorae of wine, oil, and other products, which are awaiting extraction by the Consell.