The 34-year-old man, who has not been named, apparently uploaded photos of his huge collection of Phoenician gold jewellery and Islamic, Roman and Visigoth artefacts, The Times reports.

The photos caught the attention of police in the south of Spain, who raided his house and said they discovered countless treasures which were unlawfully taken from a nearby archaeological site.

The items included a gold dirham, five gold pieces that likely formed part of a necklace or bracelet, a stone bust of a woman and a number of coins.

The man now faces between six months and three years behind bars and could face additional charges if police find that he sold any items.