12 historical artifacts belonging to Anatolia seized in the USA were handed over to the Turkish Consulate General in New York with a court decision as a result of the studies carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
New York
The historical artifacts, which were decided to be given to Turkey as a result of long trials, were returned with a ceremony at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in which New York Consul General Reyhan Özgür and officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism were present.
In his speech at the ceremony, Consul General Özgür thanked New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the agents of the Homeland Security Investigation Bureau.
Özgür said, "I appreciate the cooperation we have achieved in recent years in the fight against smuggling of cultural and historical artifacts. We achieve fruitful results with the stable and seamless communication established between the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the Homeland Security Investigations team and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey."
Stating that their joint work on historical artifacts strengthens the cooperation between Turkey and the USA, Özgür expressed that they are also a source of inspiration for the global community fighting against smuggling of cultural assets.
New York District Attorney's assistants Matthew Bogdanos and Lisa DelPizzo also emphasized in their speech that they are happy that the historical artifacts in question have been identified and returned to their respective lands, and that they will continue to work closely with Turkey on this issue.
After the speeches made in the hall where the works were exhibited, the handover process was completed with the signatures of Consul General Özgür and DelPizzo.
Works are being sent to Turkey today
Officials of the New York Cultural Attaché stated that 12 valuable historical artifacts belonging to different regions of Turkey such as Burdur, Konya, Şanlıurfa, Çanakkale, Manisa, Antalya and Eastern Anatolia will be sent to Turkey with THY Cargo today.
Authorities noted that the bronze Septimus Severus statue from Burdur's Boubon Ancient City, which is among the returned artifacts, has a special importance.
The list of historical artifacts seized in the USA and delivered to the Turkish authorities is as follows:
"Bronze bull chariot (2 pieces), Roman period military diploma, Neolithic Pilgrims Mother Goddess figure, Urartian period terracotta vase, Roman period bronze bust crowned male head, Killia type marble idol, Oinochoe from the Ancient City of Hydai, stone figurine from Çatalhöyük, Rome Tetrarch statue head of the period, statue head from Perge Theater, Bubon bronze arm and Septimius Severus statue."