Ankara: Trkiye's Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the repatriation of several significant artifacts, including a bronze emperor statue from the ancient city of Boubon in Burdur and the marble head of Demosthenes. These items, along with terracotta tablets from Duver in Kayseri, are being returned from the US following the completion of necessary procedures.
According to Anadolu Agency, the bronze emperor statue's return was facilitated through international cooperation and legal efforts. Minister Ersoy emphasized the importance of these efforts on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, stating that the process exemplifies Trkiye's commitment to reclaiming its cultural heritage. The repatriation underscores the effective struggle and collaboration on a global scale in pursuit of these assets.
Ersoy detailed that a US collector, who had acquired the statue illegally, faced potential arrest by a US court. The individual avoided imprisonment by consenting to return the artifact. The repatriation ceremony also includes the marble head of Demosthenes and terracotta tablets from Duver, among 28 other artifacts. Deputy Minister Gokhan Yazgi is set to attend the ceremonial events, marking the return of these invaluable items to their homeland.
Over the past seven years, a total of 9,133 cultural assets have been repatriated to Anatolia. Minister Ersoy reiterated Trkiye's dedication to safeguarding its cultural heritage and continuing the global pursuit of its artifacts. He expressed gratitude to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the US Department of Homeland Security, and Trkiye's Anti-Smuggling Department of the Directorate General of Cultural Heritage and Museums for their roles in this successful repatriation effort.
The ministry revealed that US prosecutors and security units led an investigation that was crucial in securing the return of the bronze emperor statue. A detention order for collector Aaron Mendelsohn was instrumental in the recovery process. Trkiye collaborated with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the US Department of Homeland Security to finalize the transfer procedures.
Additionally, the repatriation of a marble column capital depicting the Archangel Michael from the Metropolitan Museum of Art has been finalized. Provenance research confirmed that the piece had been illicitly removed from the Meryem Ana Peribleptos Monastery in Samatya, Istanbul.