Wednesday05 February 2025
swoboda.in.ua

Authorities intercepted attempts to smuggle antique Cossack and Kievan Rus axes from Dnipro to the USA. (PHOTOS)

In the United States, there was an attempt to illegally send authentic axes, over 500 years old, from Dnipro by mail.
Из Днепра в США пытались контрабандой вывезти древние топоры эпохи казаков и Киевской Руси (ФОТО)

A resident of Dnipropetrovsk attempted to illegally send axes from the times of Kievan Rus and the Cossack period by mail to the USA. He divided the rare artifacts into three separate parcels to avoid attracting attention. However, customs officials thwarted this plan. This was reported by the State Customs Service, as conveyed by "Vidomo".

The axes, showing signs of antiquity, were found in the parcels headed from Dnipropetrovsk to the USA. The items were declared as decorative, but an examination revealed that they were genuine ancient axes of archaeological origin made of wrought iron.

The largest of the discovered axes was identified as a Cossack-era axe, conditionally named "horbach." It was crafted in the 16th or early 17th century. The two smaller axes were identified by experts as working, carpentry axes from the times of Kievan Rus – the 10th to 13th centuries.

Since the cultural treasures were attempted to be smuggled abroad in violation of legal norms, they cannot be returned to their previous owners, thus their illegal journey has come to an end thanks to the customs officials.

After an art examination and necessary procedures, the artifacts will be kept in the National Military-Historical Museum, where every visitor will have the opportunity to see these witnesses of history with their own eyes.