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AMMAN, Jordan – Under the cover of nightfall, Emad Jarur drives his black van to an ancient site near here, to dig, drill or even use explosives to reach a suspected treasure of gold and ancient artifacts.

His determined look as he flips through pages showing ancient maps reflects years of an arduous search across the kingdom’s vast plains to find treasures buried by Ottomans, Romans, Byzantines, Jews or others who once lived here.

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Jarur, 42, uses advanced technology, along with less conventional means like archeology students and even sorcerers, he says.

“Treasure hunters like me try every possible means to uncover, to find these treasures, from science to magic,” he told The Media Line from his home in east Amman, a working class neighborhood.

Janus taught himself about the Ottoman treasures, the most common and sought after troves, said to be pure gold coins and easy to sell on the black market. He’s read every book he could find on the subject, learning the significance of the tiniest signs and illustrations on maps or rocks that could lead him to the precious metal.