Smuggled from Turkey: Historical artifacts worth 61.9 million dollars have returned home

As a result of investigations carried out by the US Manhattan District Attorney's Office and US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, the restitution of 42 cultural assets dating from the Copper Age to the Roman Period has been achieved.

Among the artifacts are bronze pieces originating from the Boubon Ancient City in Burdur province, which were smuggled abroad in the 1960s and are considered among the important works of Roman sculpture.

The return of the artifacts was made possible through mutual cooperation. Evidence collection, archival research, and the identification of old photographs and images regarding the Anatolian-origin artifacts located in various museums and private collections in the USA were carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and shared with the US Manhattan District Attorney's Office and US Homeland Security Investigations.

ARTIFACTS RETURNED HOME

As a result of the investigations and the cooperation between the two countries, the artifacts have returned to the country. Furthermore, the monumental bronze emperor statue returned from the UK was repatriated thanks to the sensitivity and ethical approach shown by a collector. This attitude is expected to set an example for the cooperation of collectors in the fight against the illegal trade of cultural property.

ARTIFACTS REFLECTING ANATOLIA'S CULTURAL IDENTITY

The returned artifacts include a monumental bronze emperor statue, bronze heads and body parts belonging to life-size statues, figurines and artifacts, Phrygian-type helmets, and terracotta vessels.

In addition to the 41 artifacts returned from the USA, with the reflection of the successful work carried out with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in the international press, the bronze emperor statue originating from the Boubon Ancient City, which was purchased by a collector at an auction held by Christie's Auction House in 2011 and kept in England, was voluntarily returned to our country by the collector who became aware of the illegal origin of the work within the framework of good faith.

An opening ceremony for the exhibition of the 42 artifacts was held at the Antalya Museum.

'IMPORTANT FOR UNDERSTANDING CHALCOLITHIC PERIOD CULTURE'

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said, "We continue our efforts without slowing down regarding the prevention of cultural property smuggling and the restitution of our artifacts that were illegally taken to market countries in the past. You follow this intensive work of ours closely, and we come together with you at every opportunity to share the beautiful results we have achieved. Among the artifacts are 22 Kiliya-type heads.

These date back to the Chalcolithic Period and are approximately 7000 years old. At the same time, they are artifacts that provide very important data for our efforts to understand the Chalcolithic period culture in Western Anatolia. I would also like to remind you that undamaged Kiliya-type artifacts are very rare, and we have ensured the return of two of these pieces in their entirety in 2021 and 2023," he said.

'A SPECIAL EXAMPLE FOR UNDERSTANDING REFLECTIONS IN WORLD ART LIFE'

Minister Ersoy continued his speech as follows:

"The Kiliya artifact inspired the sculptures and paintings of names considered among the art geniuses of the 20th century, such as Constantine Brancusi, Amedeo Modigliani, and Henry Moore, thus influencing contemporary art from 7 thousand years ago to the present day. This is a very special example for us to understand the reflections of the cultural heritage we possess in world art life.

Among the artifacts we have ensured the return of are a terracotta vase made in the wild goat style dating to the 7th and 6th centuries BC, a Cybele head and female bust from the 6th century BC, a black-figured vase from the late 6th century BC, a Minerva bust dating to the 2nd century AD, a Silver Cybele Figurine, and bronze helmets in the shape of Phrygian caps."

'SOLD TO VARIOUS MUSEUMS AND COLLECTIONS'

Pointing out that the artifacts were removed from an area that is very important for Turkey, Minister Ersoy said, "As a result of the looting of the Boubon Ancient City, which was located in Turkey about 60 years ago, many monumental bronze statues, at least one marble statue, and bronze statue parts were stolen. It is understood that these illegally obtained artifacts were brought primarily to the United States through an illegal organization and sold to various museums and collections here.

I would like to state that I feel a separate happiness for the return to our country of the Mature Caracalla Head exhibited at the New York Metropolitan Museum, the Young Caracalla head exhibited at the Fordham Museum, the female head exhibited at the Worcester Museum, the bearded male mask exhibited at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and other parts belonging to Boubon statues within the scope of the long-running investigation opened regarding these smuggling incidents in the Boubon Ancient City," he stated.

'BECOMING AWARE OF ITS ILLEGAL ORIGIN'

Stating that in addition to the 41 artifacts returned from the USA, there is also an emperor statue that was determined to belong to the Boubon Ancient City and was returned from England, Minister Ersoy said, "The restitution process regarding this artifact is valuable in terms of understanding the strong impact of the cooperation we carry out with countries and the agreements we have signed on international public opinion. Namely; the statue, which was put up for sale at Christie's Auction House in America in 2011, was purchased by a collector.

However, with the reflection of the work carried out with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in the international press in recent years, this person became aware of the illegal origin of the artifact in question, which was in his collection in England. From that moment on, he agreed to the return of the artifact to our country without any legal pressure. I hope that the sensitivity and cooperative approach he showed will set an example for all responsible collectors in terms of not being complicit in crime and will be an inspiration to put a stop to wrongdoing," he said.

'WE HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT FOR 5 YEARS'

Minister Ersoy concluded his speech with these words:

"At this point, it would be appropriate to emphasize the relationship between our Department of Anti-Smuggling and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and Homeland Security Investigations. We are celebrating the results of the professional cooperation established between these institutions based on trust together today.

We have been in constant close contact with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for the last 5 years in the field of preventing cultural property smuggling. I would especially like to underline that this team consists of extremely hardworking people who do their jobs in the most moral way, adhering to ethical principles.

They both correct the mistakes made in the past by ensuring the return of artifacts illegally removed from their countries of origin and make a positive contribution to the international image of the USA in this field. Therefore, I would like to emphasize that the US authorities also acted very appropriately in supporting both the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and Homeland Security Investigations in this field."

'THE VALUE OF THE ARTIFACTS IS 61.9 MILLION DOLLARS'

US Consul General in Istanbul Julie A. Eadeh also drew attention to the cooperation between Turkey and the USA.

Eadeh said, "We have had the opportunity to visit this beautiful heritage that has come from ancient times to the present day. I think this beautiful cooperation will continue constantly thanks to bilateral agreements. The US embassy has made very good investments. The issue of protecting the past and transferring it to future generations is important not only for Turkey but for the whole world. The total value of the artifacts is 61.9 million dollars," she said.

News Source: İHA

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