Statue of Aphrodite & 1,752 Artefacts Seized at Nuweiba Seaport

A 15 cm-tall statue of Aphrodite - the Greek goddess of love - and a collection of 1,752 coins were seized from smugglers, who were attempting to hide these precious antiques in a fruit lorry at a Nuweiba seaport. The items were inspected by a committee of archaeology experts to confirm their authenticity, according to the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The bronze and silver coins date back to Islamic, Byzantine, Roman and Ptolemaic eras. Many of the Roman coins were decorated with the visages of various Roman rulers. The coins from the Islamic period were gold, and engraved with Quran verses. The seized items will continue to be held in custody until an investigation into the smuggling attempt is concluded.