SOFIA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian authorities have seized 2,161 antique artifacts of high cultural and historical value, the country's Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Thursday.

The artifacts, including 1,680 coins of the Thracian, Roman and Byzantine eras, 431 antique objects, 49 antique objects of yellow metal resembling gold, and an antique ceramic pot, were on Wednesday in a private home in the town of Stara Zagora, the statement said.

They were of high cultural and historical value, it said.

Authorities also found and seized a pistol and a revolver without serial numbers, an ancient rifle, 46 cartridges of different calibers, and a significant amount of money, the statement said.

The homeowner, a 66-year-old man, was arrested.

Bulgaria, located on the Balkan Peninsula at the crossroad of different civilizations, has one of the richest archaeological heritages in Europe.?