Buyers from Greece are purchasing archaeological artefacts from Macedonia through illegal channels, Macedonian media reported today.

“Treasure-seekers and gullible citizens,” according to the Utrinski vestnik newspaper, are selling antiques they have discovered at exceptionally low prices. In this way they are selling history, archaeologists from the town of Bitola say.

Historical treasures, ceramics, coins, glass, metal and decorative objects found by citizens of Bitola in their yards or fields often end up at the antiques black market in Greece.

Greek buyers are especially interested in objects from the fourth century AD, the time of Alexander the Great, who is also known as Alexander III of Macedon. Claims over his nationality play an important part in the dispute between Greece and Macedonia about the latter’s name, which have marked the tense relationship between the two countries for more than 50 years, reaching a high point in recent months.

Experts, quoted by Utrinski Vestik, appeal to the Macedonian state to establish a fund for the trade of Macedonian antique artefacts in order to create a legal market and set adequate prices for them. This, they claim, would be the only way to counteract the trend which could harm Macedonia’s national identity.