The Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s efforts in combating cultural heritage trafficking have borne its latest fruit. 14 archaeological items seized in the U.S. were returned to Türkiye on September 12 after years of scientific studies and judicial process.
A ceremony was held at the Turkish House in New York for repatriating the valuable historical artifacts. Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Gökhan Yazgı, New York Consul General Ambassador Muhittin Ahmet Hazal, officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Turkish Airlines (THY) New York Manager Emre İsmailoğlu, and members of the Turkish and U.S. press attended the handover.
Among the 14 significant restored items are two bronze male statue heads originating from the ancient city Boubon excavations in Burdur; a head of a young man from the first century BCE that was held at the Getty Museum, and a bearded male head from the third century CE that was reclaimed from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The largest piece amidst the artifacts was the bronze female statue, also from the city Boubon, which was revealed for the first time.
Further various recovered assets include Byzantine coins smuggled abroad in the 1960s, two Ottoman-era daggers from the 18th and 19th centuries, a piece of a 11th-century jewelry box, three terracotta vessels and a terracotta lamp. Some of these artifacts’ restitution involved four decades of scientific analysis and tracking.
It was stated that these cultural items were smuggled or bought illegally by collectors and later displayed in private museums or in the collections of institutions such as Miami University’s Lowe Art Museum and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The chief of the Manhattan District Attorney's Antiquities Trafficking Unit Matthew Bogdanos emphasized that while historical artifacts represent a shared cultural heritage, they also belong to the places where they were taken from.
He pointed out the existing misbelief among the collectors as the law did not apply to them and highlighted the importance of returning the stolen archaeological pieces to those places. “Now is the time to do what’s right,” Bogdanos said while pledging to continue his work on repatriating valuable ancient assets to their rightful lands.
Yazgı also touched upon the issue of taking cultural objects hostage. “These treasures belong to Türkiye, and they will be preserved for future generations in their rightful home,” he said and added a firm message to those involved in artifact smuggling in his speech, stating, “There is no escape.” He further remarked that restituting the ethnographic items to their origins is not merely about reclaiming them. "I hope that the contribution of the return efforts to the universal culture of humanity will be better understood over time. Cultural heritage is the only way to celebrate and embrace our differences, as well as maintain respect,” Yazgı said.
He thanked the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for their cooperation with the Turkish institutions in the seizure of these artifacts, and underscored the significance behind the collaboration between American and Turkish officials in the U.S., and THY representatives during this process.
Along with Yazgın, Hazal also expressed gratitude towards the efforts of the Manhattan District Attorney, saying “You have worked with great dedication and motivation to ensure the return of these historical artifacts to Türkiye.” Hazal reflected that he was impressed by their devoted assistance and further moved by the handover event which he attended for the first time.
Hazal stated that although the artifacts originate from Anatolia, hence belong to there, they also represent the shared history of all humanity. He encouraged everyone to visit these archaeological items on display at the museums in Türkiye.
After meticulously tracking the ancient pieces for nearly 50 years and marking diplomatic efforts with mutual signatures last week, Türkiye finally recovered its 14 stolen artifacts. Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, assured that their works on protecting Türkiye’s heritage and ensuring Turkish artifacts remain part of the country’s rich historical legacy will continue. By accomplishing this, they not only return the smuggled pieces home but also contribute to the preservation of global history.