New York DA Repatriates 43 Ancient Artifacts to Turkey, Boosting Cultural Heritage and Tourism

Historic Repatriation Ceremony Returns Priceless Artifacts to Turkey

In a significant move to restore cultural heritage, the New York County District Attorney's Office officially repatriated 43 ancient artifacts to Turkey during a ceremony held on Monday, December 13, 2025. These classical-era pieces, collectively valued at over $2.5 million, were recovered through years of diligent investigation by the District Attorney's Antiquities Trafficking Unit. The return of these artifacts is expected to provide a substantial boost to Turkey's cultural tourism sector.

Key Artifacts Recovered from Illicit Trade

Among the prominent items returned were a marble head of Demosthenes and a larger-than-life 'Nude Emperor' statue. The marble head, a Roman copy from the 2nd century CE of a Greek bronze original, originated near the modern city of Izmir, Turkey, and had been part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Investigations revealed that its provenance had been fraudulently established by the Ariadne Galleries.

The 'Nude Emperor' statue, dating between 50 and 250 CE, was looted from the Sebasteion of Lycia near Bubon, Turkey. It was previously held in the collection of Aaron Mendelsohn, who had acquired it from the now-defunct Royal-Athena Galleries. Mendelsohn had engaged in legal challenges to prevent its return, but ultimately surrendered the piece.

Additionally, 41 terracotta plaques, dating back to a 6th-century BCE Phrygian temple in Düver, Turkey, were voluntarily surrendered by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. These plaques were identified as part of the illicitly trafficked items.

Years of Investigation Combatting Antiquities Trafficking

This latest repatriation is a testament to the ongoing efforts of the New York County District Attorney's Antiquities Trafficking Unit, led by District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., and Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos. The unit has been actively investigating global smuggling networks responsible for systematically plundering ancient sites in Turkey, such as Bubon and Perge, since the 1960s. These looted items were often trafficked through New York via Switzerland or the United Kingdom.

The December 2025 ceremony follows a series of successful repatriations. In March 2023, 12 antiquities valued at over $33 million were returned, including a bronze statue of Emperor Septimius Severus and a Perge Theater Head. Another 14 artifacts, including bronze heads and a large bronze statue from Boubon, were returned in September 2024. The Marcus Aurelius statue from the Cleveland Museum of Art was also repatriated in February 2025.

Restoring Heritage and Boosting Tourism

Turkish officials have lauded these repatriations as crucial for the nation's cultural identity and a significant draw for tourism. Gökhan Yazgı, Deputy Minister for Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, emphasized the importance of these returns, stating, 'These restitutions not only reunite the heroes of these cases, but also send a clear message to the world: do not buy cultural property removed illegally from its country of origin.'

The return of these artifacts allows Turkey to reclaim vital pieces of its history, making ancient sites whole again and offering tourists more authentic historical experiences. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism anticipates that visitors worldwide will be eager to witness this restored heritage, further boosting cultural tourism in regions like Izmir, Bubon, and Düver.