This is The Guardian.
Today, on the trail of Syria's treasure hunters.
So, I'm in a section of town in Damascus called Rukandin.
It's a quiet residential neighbourhood.
And I'm here because, like in many other parts of the city and in the country,
metal detector stores have been popping up all around here.
A few weeks ago,
Will Christou went to investigate a burgeoning new business in Free Syria, metal detectors.
..before they weren't allowed during the time of the regime, but now they seem to be all the rage.
Under Assad, they were considered a military tool and banned, but not anymore.
Inside the store was a bunch of different metal detectors on display.
And the name of this machine again?
Oh, and how much does it cost?
$3,700.
Wow, that's expensive.
It seemed like business was going well.
When I was there, there was a steady stream of customers coming in and out.
And in general, how is business going for you?
This was the second branch.
There was another one in the north of Syria, and they were thinking of opening a third.