A Libyan citizen has handed over a rare archaeological artifact to authorities in Shahat, in a move that highlights growing public awareness of the importance of protecting the country’s cultural heritage.
On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the Shahat Antiquities Authority received the head of a statue depicting a woman. The artifact was voluntarily delivered by citizen Al-Farjani Amadi, who discovered it on his farm located north of the city.
The prompt action taken by the citizen reflects a strong sense of national responsibility and commitment to preserving Libya’s historical legacy. The head of the Museums Department at the authority officially received the artifact, which has since been transferred to designated storage facilities for scientific documentation and preservation. It has also been registered within the official inventory of antiquities under the Shahat Antiquities Authority.
Officials expressed their deep appreciation for the initiative, stressing that cooperation between citizens and relevant institutions remains essential to safeguarding archaeological heritage. They called on the public to report and hand over any discovered artifacts to the proper authorities to ensure the protection of Libya’s historical identity.
Shahat, known historically as Cyrene, is home to some of Libya’s most significant archaeological sites, making preservation efforts critical amid ongoing challenges related to illegal excavations and artifact trafficking.

