JERUSALEM, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) declared Tuesday that it is embarking on a first of its kind campaign to register the antiquities collections held by the general public in Israel.

    The authority expects, through this campaign, to document the national treasures and enable the IAA to keep proper track of them.

    It said in a press release that an individual listed in the state's databank as the owner of an antiquities collection will be recognized by the state as a "collector of antiquities," and will be issued a certificate.

    The antiquities will be registered as the property of the collector. Anyone, who wishes to sell the collection they own, can receive permission from the IAA to do so, and the state will know to whom the object was transferred.

    Israel is one of the world's richest countries in archaeological artifacts. As such, over the years private individuals have discovered thousands of archaeological finds during the course of development work, agricultural work, etc.

    "The campaign is likely to result in a 'flood' of important archaeological discoveries that are today hidden behind closed doors," said Amir Ganor, in charge of the campaign on behalf of the IAA.