ULA to reward locals who handed over ancient artifacts in Mrauk-U

By Admin 26 Jan 2026

DMG Newsroom

26 January 2026, Mrauk-U

The United League of Arakan will provide cash rewards and certificates of honour to local residents who discovered ancient artifacts in Mrauk-U, Arakan State.

On the evening of January 24, children playing football at a location in Mrauk-U town found valuable ancient artifacts, including parabaiks, jewellery and silver coins, and handed them over to ULA administrative officials.

The Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security and other relevant officials are currently safeguarding the artifacts and conducting research into their historical background.

“Regarding the ancient artifacts, we have not examined them in detail yet. However, we plan to provide rewards and certificates of honour to those who handed them in,” said a source close to the ULA Heritage Conservation Commission.

The artifacts discovered include a jade piece about one inch in diameter, one golden parabaik, three gold rings, small fragments of gold and more than 150 silver coins bearing the names of Arakanese kings Sandar Thudhamma Yarzar and Narapatigyi.

According to ancient artifact researchers, the coins are made of pure silver. Some were used during the reign of King Sandar Thudhamma Yarzar in the third Mrauk-U era, while others date back to the reign of King Narapatigyi.

“Only those who understand the value of ancient artifacts know how to cherish them. Some might use them for personal gain. I think it is appropriate to properly reward and honour those who publicly hand over ancient artifacts found in Arakan State to the authorities,” said a resident of Mrauk-U.

In July 2025, an ancient historical bell was excavated near the Maha Muni Buddha Image in Kyauktaw.

The ULA awarded K50 million to the individual who preserved and protected the bell over successive eras to prevent it from falling into the hands of the military regime.

As Arakan State is rich in ancient historical heritage, locals frequently discover artifacts. While some hand them over to the authorities, others are known to sell them on the black market for personal profit.