1,149 Stolen Works Returned to Homeland in 2021
In recent years, Turkey has achieved significant success in retrieving stolen artifacts and cultural heritage items that were smuggled abroad. Under the leadership of the Anti-Smuggling Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, and in collaboration with other ministries, thousands of valuable works have been returned to their rightful home.
One of the most recent accomplishments is the return of 1149 smuggled artifacts to Turkey this year alone. Among these items were 1055 coins from the Lydian civilization, which were rescued from smugglers in Greece and identified as belonging to Turkey. These coins, dating back to the 7th to 5th centuries BC, were officially handed over to Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy at a ceremony in Athens.
Furthermore, 41 historical artifacts from Anatolia that were seized in the USA were delivered to Turkish authorities in New York after a long legal battle. These items, including sculptures, terracotta pots, and figurines, spanned from the Roman period to the Late Chalcolithic Period, showcasing the rich history of Anatolia.
In addition to coins and sculptures, valuable ancient artifacts like the 2,500-year-old bronze cedar and the 2,700-year-old Bintepeler necklace have been returned to Turkey from the USA. These items hold great historical and cultural significance, providing insights into the past civilizations of the region.
Another remarkable achievement is the return of the Septimius Severus statue head from Denmark’s NY Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum, after nearly 60 years of being abroad. This bronze statue head of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, taken illegally from the Ancient City of Boubon, will soon be back in Turkey, contributing to the preservation of Anatolia’s cultural heritage.
Moreover, two coins from France and a Holy Quran from England were voluntarily returned to Turkey, highlighting the international cooperation in combating artifact smuggling. These items, including a bronze coin from the Byzantine period and a rare Quran written by Mustafa Dede, son of the calligrapher Sheikh Hamdullah, have been safely housed in Turkish museums.
Lastly, the marble Alexander the Great statue head, originating from the Hellenistic period, was voluntarily returned from the USA to Turkey. After experts confirmed its Anatolian origin, the statue was brought back and displayed at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, further enriching Turkey’s cultural heritage.
These successful returns signify a collective effort to protect and preserve Turkey’s rich cultural legacy, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in combating artifact smuggling and ensuring the rightful ownership of invaluable historical treasures.
