The U.S. has returned more than 300 stolen artifacts to Italy — Reuters
The United States has returned 337 ancient artifacts to Italy that had previously been illegally removed from the country. This is one of the largest operations to return cultural property in recent years.
Officials announced this on Wednesday, April 29, according to Reuters.
As noted, these artifacts—including ancient Roman and Greek sculptures, as well as Etruscan and Egyptian exhibits—were presented at the headquarters of Italy’s Carabinieri unit for the protection of cultural heritage following a series of investigations, many of which were conducted in New York.
“There is no country in the world with a history and culture like Italy’s, and the United States will always do everything possible to help return these magnificent artifacts to your special country,” U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman J. Fertitta told reporters.
Among the most significant items presented that day was a marble head of Alexander the Great, dating from the 1st century CE and stolen from a Roman museum in 1960.
Also returned were a bronze sculpture from the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum, two Egyptian basalt statues, Roman coins, jewelry, ceramics, and architectural fragments dating from the 5th century B.C. to the 3rd century A.D.
Italian authorities stated that many of these items were seized during illegal excavations or stolen from cultural institutions, after which they entered the international art market.
“Protecting cultural heritage means preserving memory, strengthening identity, and passing on to future generations the value of culture as a universal public good,” said Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giulli.
Last year, Italy and the United States renewed a memorandum of understanding that tightens U.S. restrictions on the import of Italian archaeological materials, strengthens customs controls, and expands information sharing.
Thousands of artifacts were discovered in Poland during road construction.
Poland has extended border controls with Germany and Lithuania until October.
As a reminder, Poland will not participate in the mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
Poland has refused to transfer Patriot systems to the Middle East.
