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Tomb raider leads Italian police ancient tomb
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Associated Press
Date: Saturday Jun. 17, 2006 9:16 AM ET
VEIO, Italy — A suspected tomb raider turned police informant has led archeologists to what experts described Friday as the oldest known frescoed burial chamber in Europe.
The tomb, located on a hilly wheat field north of Rome, belonged to a warrior prince from the nearby Etruscan town of Veio, according to archeologists who took journalists on a tour of the site.
Dating to about 690 BC, the underground burial chamber is decorated with roaring lions and migratory birds.
"This princely tomb is unique and it marks the origin of western painting," said Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli, referring to the ancient art of burial painting.
Authorities were led to the site in May by an Italian on trial for trafficking in illegally excavated artifacts. He disclosed the location of the tomb in hopes of gaining leniency from the court, said Carabinieri Gen. Ugo Zottin.
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I think he was pushed to take matters into his own hands. I have a teenage son and if he was involved with a drug dealer I would be furious and try anything to save him like this father did for his daughter. Why do police often say they can't do anything until it's too late? Whether it be a drug dealer or an abusive spouse, the police can't seem to do anything until something really bad happens. In this case they could have raided the drug dealers home and arrested him. The whole town knew what was going on in that house but yet the police chose to do nothing. Release this man and give him a medal for doing the right thing by his daughter. I can't wait to see the episode on W5, I will certainly be watching this one.
