Vandals severely damaged an archaeological site in the Negev.

Artifacts at the Avdat National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were knocked down, smashed and spray-painted last week. A 1,700-year-old altar was destroyed and ancient pillars were toppled, according to reports.

Police said they will look into whether the incident is related to the razing of 23 illegal Bedouin structures in the south, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Avdat is one of four Nabatean cities in Israel and dates back to the third century B.C. — jta