Precious mosaics discovered in rural Osmaniye by treasure hunters during an illegal excavation were placed under protection by authorities. Authorities who were alerted to illegal digging near the village of Kayalı launched a joint police-gendarmerie operation in five separate areas. Experts from Osmaniye Museum called to the scene said they believed the mosaics dated from 400 A.D. and the treasure hunters had not had the opportunity to damage the precious artifacts. Police have expanded their operations to capture the illegal diggers, who were not at the scene.