Minister Ersoy: "Since 2018, we have brought back 8,967 artifacts to their rightful lands."

Hibya - The Department of Combating Smuggling, operating under the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums, has completed its 5th year. As a result of the efforts carried out during this process, 8,967 artifacts have been returned to their rightful lands in the last 7 years, and a total of 13,282 artifacts since 2002.

In his assessment, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated, “Since 2018, we have returned approximately 8,967 artifacts to their rightful lands. With the responsibility of protecting our cultural heritage, we will continue to trace every stolen artifact.”

In this context, many significant artifacts have been returned to Turkey through collaborations, legal processes, and scientific studies conducted worldwide.

The following 10 artifacts recently returned to Turkey were announced:

"Gypsy Girl Mosaics (USA), the mosaic panels returned from Bowling Green State University, are among the lost pieces of Zeugma and are exhibited at the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum. Roman Period Zeugma Origin Stela (Italy), this grave stele, dating to the 2nd century A.D. and noted for its Ancient Greek inscription, has been brought to our country in cooperation with the Venice Cultural Heritage Protection Unit. Kiliya Type Idol (USA), this 6,000-year-old figure, cited by art historians as an inspiration for modern art, has been seized from the Shelby White Collection and brought to Turkey.

Quran Manuscript Copied by Mustafa Dede (UK), this valuable Mushaf, written by Mustafa Dede, the son of Sheikh Hamdullah, the founder of the Ottoman calligraphy school, dating to the 16th century, has been returned to our country as a result of meticulous monitoring. Statue of Roman Emperor Lucius Verus (USA), this rare life-sized bronze statue, identified as having been illegally removed from the ancient city of Bubon, has returned to Turkey following an investigation conducted by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Head of Eros (UK), this statue head, which is a missing piece of the Sidamara Sarcophagus, has been reunited with the sarcophagus as a result of successful diplomatic negotiations with the Victoria & Albert Museum. The Inscription of Şile Bozgoca Mosque (Netherlands), this important inscription from the Ottoman period has been brought to Turkey as a result of international legal initiatives and is exhibited at the Istanbul Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts.

Bronze Female Bust Originating from Boubon Ancient City (USA), this bronze bust, dating to the 2nd century A.D. and notable for its artistic details, has returned to its rightful lands following meticulous research and legal processes conducted in the USA. Adana Ulu Mosque Tile (UK), this Ottoman period tile, identified as having been stolen in 2003 and put up for sale at Bonhams Auction House, has been brought to Turkey through intervention during the auction process. Kybele Votive Statue (USA), this Kybele statue, symbolizing fertility and abundance, was illegally taken abroad in the 1960s and has been returned to our country after the conclusion of legal proceedings in the USA."

Hibya News Agency