Türkiye | Recovered Several Archaeological Artifacts from The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York, Now Displayed in the Ankara’s Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Türkiye has recently recovered several archaeological artifacts of great historical value from The  Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York, colloquialy referred to as The Met, the fourth - largest museum in the world and the largest art museum in the Americas, and now displayed in the Ankara’s Museum of Anatolian Civilization. 

The artifacts recovered include significant items like a monumental bronze statue of a Roman emperor from the ancient city of Bubon, a Demosthenes’s head, and other antiquities linked to Phyrgian, Lydian, and Urartian civilizations, making major successes in Ankara’s ongoing campaign against heritage trafficking with strong U.S. cooperation.

These returns, often involving investigations by Manhattan District Attorney’s office, highlight increased collaboration to combat illicit smuggling networks and bring Anatolian heritage back home.

Key Recent Returns: 

•    Bubon Artifacts: A large bronze statue of a Roman emperor, a Roman - era Demosthenes head and other scuptures from the the city of Bubon were repatriated after being smuggled in the 1960s. 
•    Anatolian Collection: Over 40 artifacts, including Phyrgian terracotta plaques, a Lydian silver phiale, and Urartian bronze items, were returned following a multi – year investigation.

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 these unique pieces that part of the national cultural heritage. 

The Minister stated that the artifacts have completed their journey from New York to Ankara and delivered to the museum of Anatolian Civilization located in the Turkish capital, adding that the recovery of these valuable pieces was possible thanks to a series of scientific studies and legal efforts, which made it possible to prove their origin and ensure their return to their country of origin. 

The recovered artifacts, which date back to different periods and regions of Anatolia, are considered key pieces to understanding the rich history of Türkiye and its ancient civilization. The restitution of these cultural objects marks a milestone in Ankara’s efforts to recover its historical heritage and preserve it for future generations.

Link 
https://www.prensa-latina.cu/2025/12/18/turkiye-recupera-artefactos-historicos-de-estados-unidos/