US returns $8m stolen treasures to Turkey
Authorities in the United States have made a significant move in the fight against the illegal trade of cultural artifacts. On Tuesday, $8 million worth of stolen antiquities were returned to Turkey, with some of the pieces being traced back to thefts that occurred as far back as the 1960s.
The restitution included 41 valuable pieces, among them two Heads of the Roman emperor Caracalla and the Bust of a Lady. These pieces were looted from Bubon, a Roman-era site located in southwest Turkey that experienced extensive looting during the 1960s.
Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg proudly announced the return of the stolen artifacts, highlighting that since he took office, his administration has successfully returned 90 antiquities to Turkey, with an estimated total value exceeding $60 million.
The restitution ceremony was attended by Gokhan Yazgi, Turkey’s Deputy Culture Minister. In his speech, Yazgi expressed his belief that by working together, nations can put an end to the damage inflicted on their identity and history.
One of the significant pieces returned was the Bust of a Lady, with origins dating back to around 160-180 AD. It was stolen from Bubon and eventually made its way to Switzerland through the late American antiquities dealer Robert Hecht. It was later sold to the Worcester Art Museum, where it remained on display until its seizure in June 2023.
The two Heads of Caracalla, belonging to both the younger and older depictions of the Roman emperor, were seized by US authorities in March 2023. One head was recovered from the Fordham Museum of Art, while the other was discovered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Art Trafficking Unit in Manhattan has been instrumental in recovering stolen antiquities. Since its inception, the unit has successfully located over 4,700 artifacts valued at more than $400 million. Through their efforts, more than 4000 pieces have been returned to 25 different countries.
The return of these stolen antiquities is an important step towards preserving cultural heritage and combating the illegal trade that undermines the historical identity of nations.
