The archeological site of Jalžabet has been ruined these days. From the archaeological site of Jalžabet, Croatia, in the district of Bistričak, one of the largest prehistoric tombs in Europe is known. The excavations on site were supposed to start soon, but thieves robbed and damaged the site right before.

Dr. Saša Kovačević from the Institute of Archeology notes “It is about the criminal and criminal act of cultures and the destruction of Croatian cultural heritage. It is like breaking into the cathedral of Zagreb and emptying the treasury“. Dr. Kovačević described it dramatically and pointed out that the site in Jalžaba is a monument that has been damaged twice and now more seriously in the last couple of years. “In the northern part of Croatia, there more and more people with metal detectors who dig to collect finds“, Dr. Kovačević notes. He explains that someone had excavated a well of three meters wide dropped him 10 meters and robbed and damaged the tumulus, noting that this was certainly no amateur theft.

“The metal detectorists behavior has grown into a racket without control. What happened here could have been more tragic. For example, one of my colleagues could collapse through the improvised wooden window and break the neck. So it would be a homicide, and this is just about killing the cultural heritage“, Kovačević warned. He urges everyone who saw a metal detectorist to immediately call the police. Investigations are ongoing and police will report on further actions.