ISIS, sometimes referred to as ISIL, is digging up images of the past in Syria.

They market and sell these archeological antiquities to finance their terror operations. The U.S. Department of Justice announced last December that the United States filed a civil complaint seeking the forfeiture of multiple antiquities associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Photos of four specific archaeological items were found in a raid by U.S. military near Deir Ezzor, Syria in May 2015 at one of the residences of Abu Sayyaf, a senior leader within Burr ISIL. Abu Sayyaf was killed.

The lawsuit alleges the photographed items are subject to forfeiture. It is believed one may have already been sold.

The items include a gold ring with a carved dark green gemstone from the Hellenistic/Roman period dating approximately from 330 BC to 400 AD. There is a gold coin featuring Emperor Antoninus Pius believed to be Roman. The coin dates from around 138-161 A.D. It is sourced to any large, urban Hellenistic or Roman city in Syria, including Apamea, Palmyra, Dura Euopos or Bosra. Another gold coin features Emperor Hadrian. It is believed to be Roman dating around 125-128 AD.

The fourth item is believed to be the upper portion of a round-topped stone stela (upright stone slab bearing a relief design) carved with an image of a provincial official, most likely a eunuch. The item is believed to be from the archaeological site of Tell Awaji in the Kabul region of northern Syria.

These antiquities are important to the cultural heritage of the people of Syria and Iraq.

Documents reveal that ISIL specifically directed its members to steal archaeological objects for purposes of selling them on the black market to support ISIL. The terror group has threatened anyone attempting to excavate, sell or transport antiquities from the territory under their control.

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