There's something about how this article was written that reads like grave robbing, especially the bit about them hoping to discover "more treasures."

It sells newspapers unfortunately. For the longest time newspapers (and by extension much of the general public) equat archaeology with treasure hunting.

I don't know the circumstances of this dig, but it may have been a rescue dig ahead of eg massive concrete foundations going in. In many countries this is what drives (and funds) fieldwork.

Yes. “Unlooted and unopened”… until today.