Jordan’s Department of Antiquities (DoA) is working on creating a new division to combat the smuggling of antiquities, the Jordan Times reported Thursday (March 22nd).
The new unit will start operating once the administrative by-law of the DoA comes into effect, DoA Director General Monther Jamhawi said.
Article 5 of the by-law, which concerns the anti-smuggling division, stipulates that the department will work in co-operation with the security bodies and the Jordan Customs Department to control smuggling and trading of antiquities.
Jamhawi said that the new unit will be responsible for organising archaeological excavations, documenting and registering antiquities across Jordan, operating ticket offices at sites and museums, and implementing the state policies related to agreements and protocols.
Other tasks include issuing licences for local and international scientific institutions and archaeological missions, which run excavations, surveys and archaeological studies in Jordan, he said.
The department also will supervise the establishment of archaeological institutes and museums, he added.
