Ankara, Dec.— Türkiye has recovered several archaeological pieces of great historical value belonging to the ancient Urartian, Lydian, and Roman civilizations, which had been acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, it was reported this Thursday.
The Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, celebrated the return of these pieces and highlighted the joint effort in the protection and restitution of cultural heritage.
In a statement published on social media, Ersoy announced that among the recovered items are a bronze statue of an emperor, a portrait of Demosthenes from the Roman era, and several pieces dating back to the Urartian and Lydian civilizations.
These artifacts have completed their journey from New York to Türkiye and have been delivered to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, located in the capital, Ankara.
These pieces also include a marble column capital depicting Archangel Michael. They were recovered from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States and handed over to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara, the minister indicated in his post.
Ersoy emphasized that the recovery of these valuable artifacts was possible thanks to a series of scientific studies and legal efforts, which allowed proving their provenance and ensuring their return to their country of origin.
The recovered artifacts, which date from different periods and regions of Anatolia, are considered key pieces for understanding Türkiye’s rich history and its ancient civilizations. The restitution of these cultural objects marks a milestone in Ankara's efforts to reclaim its historical heritage and preserve it for future generations.
(Information from Prensa Latina)
