14 historical artifacts smuggled from Turkey found in the US: 'They are returning to where they belong'

14 artifacts of historical and artistic value seized in the US had been identified. As a result of the efforts of Turkish officials, it was decided that the artifacts would be returned. A handover ceremony was held at the Turkish House in New York as part of the repatriation of the artifacts to Turkey.

The ceremony, held in the reception hall of the Turkish House, was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey Gökhan Yazgı, Consul General in New York Ambassador Muhittin Ahmet Hazal, officials from the US Department of Homeland Security and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Turkish Airlines (THY) New York Manager Emre İsmailoğlu, as well as Turkish and American members of the press.

In his speech, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Yazgı thanked the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and their team for their cooperation with Turkish institutions in the seizure of the artifacts.

Emphasizing that the repatriation of cultural assets to the countries to which they belong is not just about returning historical and aesthetic objects to their respective countries, Yazgı said, 'I hope that the contribution of these repatriation efforts to the universal culture of humanity will be better understood over time.'

Stating that 'Cultural heritage is the only way to protect respect, as well as to celebrate and embrace our differences,' Yazgı sent a message to those involved in artifact smuggling with the words, 'there is no escape.'

Yazgı noted that the 'draped bronze female statue,' which constitutes the largest piece among the returned artifacts, was brought to light for the first time, and emphasized the importance of the support provided by American officials, Turkish missions in the US, and THY officials during this process.

'THE ARTIFACTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO WHERE THEY BELONG'

Consul General Muhittin Ahmet Hazal, who recently started his duty in New York, also said that this was the first time he had attended a handover ceremony where historical artifacts were returned and that he was 'very impressed.'

In his speech at the ceremony, Hazal explained that while the seized artifacts belong to Turkey, they are also 'the common history of all humanity living in other geographies,' and that anyone who wishes can come to Turkey and see them in the museums where they will be exhibited.

Thanking the officials of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for their assistance in the repatriation process, Hazal said, 'You have worked very selflessly and were very motivated to ensure these historical artifacts were delivered to Turkey. I am very impressed, and for this, I salute and congratulate you.'

Matthew Bogdanos, Chief of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, stated that historical artifacts represent a common cultural heritage, adding that 'they belong to the place from which they were taken and should be returned there.'

Stating that for decades, some collectors 'thought the law did not apply to them,' Bogdanos said, 'Now is the time to do the right thing,' and promised that he would continue to work to return smuggled historical artifacts to where they belong.

ARTIFACTS WITH A PLACE IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORY WERE SMUGGLED

The 14 pieces of cultural property belonging to Anatolia, which were seized as a result of sensitive tracking carried out within the scope of the cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, and the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), were received with signed protocols.

It was announced that among the 14 returned artifacts are 1 bronze statue and 2 bronze statue heads originating from the Ancient City of Boubon, which were discovered during excavations in the village of İbecik in the Gölhisar district of Burdur province and hold an important place in world archaeological literature.

It was stated that approximately 40 years of scientific study and analysis were conducted for the return of the artifact known as the 'bronze young male head,' one of these statue heads that were taken abroad without permission as a result of illegal excavations.

Information was shared that another artifact originating from the Ancient City of Boubon, a bearded bronze male head, was recovered for Turkey as a result of efforts made while it was being exhibited in a private museum.

Among the artifacts recovered for Turkey are also 3 coins from the Byzantine period that were taken abroad through illegal excavations in the 1960s from the Ancient City of Boubon, 2 daggers from the 18th and 19th-century Ottoman period, 3 terracotta vessels from various periods, a jewelry box fragment dated to the 11th century, and a terracotta lamp.