Myanmar is a country with a long and rich history spanning from the Stone Age and Bronze Age through the Iron Age and subsequent periods, and it is home to numerous valuable historical and cultural heritage objects. These ancient cultural heritage items are historical evidence closely associated with the dignity and identity of the nation, making their preservation for future generations of great importance.
An object is classified as an archaeological artefact if it is more than 100 years old, can provide evidence of a particular historical period, and possesses a combination of factors such as historical use, craftsmanship, rarity and historical value. Archaeological artefacts are often associated with ancient sites and may be unearthed as a result of natural erosion, farming, excavation, road construction and other activities. When such objects are discovered, some people may sell them illegally for financial gain, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Such unauthorized excavation and sale constitute a criminal offence. In fact, these objects must be handed over to the relevant authorities.
When archaeological artefacts discovered in such circumstances are handed over to the State, rewards are provided based on their type and value. For gold artefacts, in addition to their market value, a reward equivalent to 80 per cent of the market value is provided. For bronze artefacts, an additional reward ranging from 40 to 80 per cent of their market value is provided. For Bagan-era artefacts, an additional reward equivalent to 70 per cent of their market value is provided, while an additional reward ranging from 40 to 70 per cent of their market value is provided for artefacts from other historical periods.
At present, a total of 1,173 archaeological artefacts, including gold decorative fragments, gold coins, stone beads, stone bead fragments, bronze objects, bronze alloy plates and earthenware from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Pyu era, Bagan era, Thayawady era and MraukU era, have been discovered and handed over to the State. By responsibly handing over archaeological artefacts to the relevant authorities, people can help prevent the illegal trafficking and removal of Myanmar’s cultural heritage abroad, while also ensuring that future generations can study the historical national heritage associated with their own country.
Therefore, the public is urged to actively cooperate in safeguarding the country’s historical heritage and ensuring that its valuable historical evidence is not lost by promptly reporting and handing over any archaeological artefacts they discover to the relevant authorities.
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