The tomb stele of Zeugma origin, which was returned from Italy, was delivered to the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum with a ceremony. Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that they have ensured the return of 12 thousand 16 works from different countries in the last 20 years.
Ersoy, at the delivery ceremony of the Zeugma-origin grave stele (solid stone) returned from Italy at the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, noted that Turkey experienced one of the biggest disasters in world history with the earthquakes that took place on 6 February.
Stating that Gaziantep, which is hosting today's ceremony, quickly heals its wounds with all its resources and rushes to the aid of cities affected by earthquakes, Ersoy stated that they, as the Ministry, have been on the field since the first hours, and that they shoulder pain and hope together with the Turkish people.
Stating that they work with the motto of "life first, human first", but they also protect the cultural and historical values that they see as a trust of the nation and the future of these lands, Ersoy said:
"Both our Gaziantep Museum Directorate and Gaziantep Restoration and Conservation Laboratory have made great efforts to protect our cultural assets in the region. This museum we are in has shown everyone that it is very valuable not only because of its rich collection around the world, but also with the commitment of my colleagues to their responsibilities. In 2018, when I started my duty as the Minister, we met with you in this museum again. We celebrated the return from the USA of our 12 pieces of art that formed the perimeter of the mosaic panel, which became famous as the Gypsy Girl. Years later, we met here for the return of a very special tomb stele of Zeugma origin from Italy. The difficult period that our city and the region are going through makes the return of this work, which symbolizes the richness and value of these lands, more valuable and meaningful."
Pointing to the return process, Ersoy said:
"This work of Zeugma origin was seized by the Venetian authorities in Italy, and then our Ministry was asked for information. In the light of this information, a detailed evaluation was immediately made by our Ministry. As a result of the meticulous examinations carried out by our esteemed teacher Prof Dr Kutalmış Görkay, who is the head of the Zeugma Excavation, on issues such as stone type, processing techniques, and comparisons with similar examples, there is a definite opinion that he is of Zeugma origin in terms of style and iconography and that he was illegally removed from our country. In the process coordinated by our Anti-Smuggling Department, many data and examples regarding the origin of the artifact were revealed, and work was carried out in close contact with the Italian authorities. All of our evaluations have been turned into a detailed report by adding information on the relevant legal legislation of our country. Then, this report was conveyed to the Italian authorities through our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the return of the stele was requested. As a result of the judicial proceedings in Italy, a return decision was made and the work was received at our Embassy in Rome."
"A truly unique legacy"
Minister Ersoy, by explaining that Zeugma, whose name means bridge, has been produced throughout its ancient history, which dates back to 300 BC, and especially during the Roman period, when it lived its golden age, and continued his words as follows:
"It is understood that the tomb stele, which is instrumental in our union with you today, was erected in this city in the 2nd century AD by a Zeugmali who loved his wife very much, with farewell words written on it. On the stele, we can read the words 'Satornila, farewell to the wife who loves her husband'. This work carries the story of a human being that contains strong emotions such as separation, sadness and devotion from almost 2200 years ago to the present and tells us. Indeed, a unique legacy has returned to the land where its existence finds purpose and meaning. At this point, we need to underline the following. Italy, like Turkey, is one of the countries that suffer from cultural property smuggling. Their sensitivity in this process deserves all kinds of appreciation. Special thanks to all concerned authorities. I invite all countries and international stakeholders to show the sensitivity shown by Italy on cultural assets and to act in cooperation."
Stating that they carry out their work for the protection of cultural assets with the motto "Every work is beautiful in its homeland, where it belongs, it is meaningful there", Ersoy continued as follows:
"Our department, which we have established in this direction, continues its work with its expert team uninterruptedly. The number of countries with which we have signed agreements on the origin of the works, their return to countries and the prevention of their illegal circulation has increased to 12. In fact, one of the most important issues is the international protocols we have made. It allows the process to progress very quickly. The agreements in question and the cooperation of countries on these issues play a very important role in preventing the looting of our priceless works, each of which is a cultural heritage."
Ersoy also noted that they have provided technical support to the investigations carried out within the scope of historical artifact smuggling in the USA, thanks to the cooperation they have established with the United States Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the Homeland Security Intelligence Unit in the last 3 years.
"We pay great attention to every detail"
Explaining that thousands of archival documents were examined by the Ministry for the artifacts considered to be of Anatolian origin, and documents and evidence were collected with intensive studies, Ersoy said:
"After these detailed studies, dozens of works related to the investigations were returned to our country. These include bronze Lucius Verus and Septimius Severus Statue, Perge-origin sarcophagus fragments, Kiliya type idols looted from the Bubon Ancient City of Burdur Province. Within the scope of this cooperation with the USA, we expect new returns to be provided in the future. I hope these will happen very soon. In the last 20 years, we have ensured the return of 12 thousand 16 works from different countries. This is an indisputable indicator of how determined and correct the struggle in the field, at the desk and in the courtroom is carried out. We attach great importance to every issue and every detail in the operation, from enhancing security at archaeological sites and museums, to sharing expert information in border and customs controls, as well as in the development of international and bilateral relations."
"The fight against cultural property smuggling will continue strongly"
Minister Ersoy explained that with the arrangements they made, they provided and continue to provide additional opportunities for the fight against cultural property smuggling, and said:
"We are also very happy to see the positive results of all these. I am also pleased to say that the serious achievements we have achieved ensure that our work is closely followed and taken as an example in the international arena. We will continue our fight against cultural property smuggling in the strongest way from now on. As we increase this struggle and increase the number of international protocols, it becomes harder to find buyers in the source countries and different buyer countries. In other words, buyers and foreign collectors no longer pay high prices for cultural assets smuggled from Turkey. They even try to stay away if possible. Because they know that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey will realize the work from the moment it is exhibited, will start a great struggle and eventually that work will be taken from the collector's hands and returned to the Motherland. Therefore, the most important event in the fight against smuggling and treasure hunters is the intimidation of the buyer, and in that respect, a very successful process has been managed. Now, we are trying to make it impossible by increasing the effect and power of this, by spreading these protocols to wider areas, to many countries of the world. This is our duty of loyalty to our past and a very serious responsibility that we are determined to fulfill for our future generations."