Italy announced that it has returned 266 antiquities valued at tens of millions of euros, which were brought to the United States in the late 1990s by an international smuggling network. Some of these items date back to the 9th century BC, approximately 2900 years ago, and include artifacts from the Etruscan civilization, Magna Graecia, and the Roman Empire. The Carabinieri police's specialized unit announced on Friday, August 11, that the return of the antiquities was the result of cooperation between judicial authorities in Italy and the United States. American and Italian judicial officials participated in the ceremony for the return of the antiquities in New York City on August 8, 2023. Images provided by the Italian Ministry of Culture show that the items include several painted vases, a bust, and several coins. These items were displayed at a ceremony in New York earlier last week. According to the Carabinieri's statement, 145 items were discovered during the bankruptcy proceedings of an antique dealer. The statement also noted that 65 other items were obtained from the Menil Collection museum in Houston, Texas. Although a museum spokesperson told Reuters that these items were presented to them as a gift, after Italy claimed ownership of these objects, the museum referred the donor to the Italian Minister of Culture.
The U.S. Returned Dozens of Smuggled Antiquities to Italy
The U.S. returned 266 smuggled antiquities to Italy, valued at tens of millions of euros, following a collaboration between judicial authorities. The items date back to ancient civilizations, highlighting international efforts to combat antiquities smuggling. This event underscores the importance of cultural heritage preservation and legal cooperation.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The United States returned 266 smuggled antiquities to Italy, valued at tens of millions of euros, as part of a collaborative effort between Italian and American judicial authorities.
- The antiquities date back to ancient civilizations such as the Etruscan and Roman Empires.
- The return was facilitated by cooperation between Italian and U.S. judicial authorities.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Antiquities smuggling is a global issue, often linked to organized crime and the illicit art market. Countries like Italy have been at the forefront of efforts to recover stolen cultural artifacts.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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