An antique amphora found at sea has been made available for illegal sale on a local public auction website.

The seller describes the item as ‘bomblu antiques kbier bla ħsara fuqu (big antique jug, undamaged) and lists the price as €655 on maltapark.com.

However, when contacted local diver and marine activist Antonio Anastasi told The Sunday Times it is illegal to claim and sell antique objects over 50 years old found on land or in territorial waters.

“The seller has stolen a piece of our national heritage and he is trying to illegally profit from it. That means he has stolen from me and you,” Mr Anastasi said.

If a member of the public finds an object of geological, paleontological, archaeological, antiquarian or artistic importance, they should inform the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage so that the object can be investigated and if necessary preserved for the country.

“You have no right to claim such an object for yourself,” Mr Anastasi continued. “It is important to leave such an object where it is so the whole area can be investigated in case it contains similar items.” The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has been informed about the amphora which has passed on the details of the advert to the police to investigate further. The age of the amphora is not known.

“If he is not arrested for stealing our national heritage he should be arrested for gross stupidity for trying to sell on item on a public website,” Mr Anastasi said.

Posing as interested buyer, The Sunday Times spoke by phone to the seller, who said he took the item from a shipwreck while diving in Maltese waters. The local man claimed he did not know any details about the age or historic significance of amphora. The price is negotiable, the seller said, and he invited the journalist to view the amphora at his home in St Paul’s Bay . However, if action is taken, people may soon be able to view the amphora in a museum instead.

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