The Brief
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Philadelphia seized 36 Bronze Age swords and 50 arrowheads on Feb. 18.
- The artifacts, shipped from the United Arab Emirates, were authenticated as nearly 4,000 years old and likely from Iran.
- Authorities say the items were imported unlawfully and will remain in custody pending further orders.
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Philadelphia recently seized dozens of ancient swords and arrowheads, believed to be nearly 4,000 years old, after they arrived in a shipment from the United Arab Emirates.
What we know:
Officers seized 36 copper-alloy short swords and 50 copper-alloy arrowheads on Feb. 18 after the items arrived on an express delivery flight from the United Arab Emirates. The shipment was destined for Jacksonville, Fla., and was labeled as metal decoration articles.…