Ankara: A monumental bronze statue of a Roman emperor from the ancient city of Bubon, along with a Roman-era depiction of Demosthenes and other artifacts, have been returned to Trkiye from the United States, announced Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. The artifacts, including works from the Urartian and Lydian civilizations and a marble column capital depicting Archangel Michael, were repatriated from New York and transferred to Ankara's Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
According to Anadolu Agency, the artifacts were recovered following scientific and legal procedures. Minister Ersoy highlighted that these efforts have successfully reunited the heritage of these lands with their homeland. He also emphasized Trkiye's commitment to collaborating with international partners to safeguard its cultural heritage and thanked the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums for their role in the repatriation process.
The Culture and Tourism Ministry described the repatriation as a new milestone in Trkiye's longstanding efforts to reclaim cultural assets. The artifacts, previously part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York, were delivered to Ankara after extensive provenance research, scientific examinations, and legal proceedings coordinated with international bodies. The ministry noted that these artifacts exemplify Anatolia's rich historical and cultural legacy and will be presented to the public following conservation and documentation.
The ministry also reported that with this latest repatriation, the total number of artifacts originating from Bubon and returned to Trkiye has reached 18, including six monumental bronze emperor statues. The repatriation involved collaboration with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and US Homeland Security Investigations. Trkiye provided witness testimonies and scientific reports, which were crucial in an investigation against a California collector who initially resisted returning an artifact. The investigation revealed the artifact was illicitly excavated from Bubon, leading to an arrest warrant and eventual return of the item.
The ministry confirmed that investigations identified all parties involved in the artifact's smuggling during the 1960s, ensuring accountability and closure on this long-standing issue.