Latest news with #antiquities
Malay Mail
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Marcus Aurelius comes home: Turkiye wins decades-long battle for ancient statue
ISTANBUL, July 20 — Turkiye has repatriated an ancient statue believed to depict Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius from the United States as part of efforts to recover antiquities illegally removed from the country, the government announced on Saturday. The bronze statue, smuggled from the ancient city of Boubon — now the province of Burdur in southwest Turkiye — in the 1960s, was returned to Turkiye after 65 years, according to Turkish officials. 'It was a long struggle. We were right, we were determined, we were patient, and we won,' Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy said. 'We brought the 'Philosopher Emperor' Marcus Aurelius back to the land where he belongs,' he added. This unique artefact, once exhibited in the United States, was repatriated to Turkiye based on scientific analyses, archival documents and witness statements, added the minister. 'Through the combined power of diplomacy, law, and science, the process we conducted with the New York Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the US Homeland Security Investigations Unit is more than just a repatriation; it is a historical achievement,' Ersoy said. 'Marcus Aurelius's return to our country is a concrete result of our years-long pursuit of justice.' The headless statue had been on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art from April to July, before its return to Turkiye. Ersoy said Turkiye was determined to protect all its cultural heritage that has been smuggled out. 'We will soon present the Philosopher Emperor to the people of (Turkiye's capital) Ankara in a surprise exhibition,' he announced. — AFP
Arab News
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Ancient statue returns to Turkiye 65 years later
ISTNABUL: Turkiye has repatriated an ancient statue believed to depict Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius from the United States as part of efforts to recover antiquities illegally removed from the country, the government announced on Saturday. The bronze statue, smuggled from the ancient city of Boubon — now the province of Burdur in southwest Turkiye — in the 1960s, was returned to Turkiye after 65 years, according to Turkish officials. 'It was a long struggle. We were right, we were determined, we were patient, and we won,' Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy said. Marcus Aurelius statue has landed in Türkiye after being returned by the U.S. — Daily Turkic (@DailyTurkic) July 19, 2025 'We brought the 'Philosopher Emperor' Marcus Aurelius back to the land where he belongs,' he added. This unique artefact, once exhibited in the United States, was repatriated to Turkiye based on scientific analyzes, archival documents and witness statements, added the minister. 'Through the combined power of diplomacy, law, and science, the process we conducted with the New York Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the US Homeland Security Investigations Unit is more than just a repatriation; it is a historical achievement,' Ersoy said. 'Marcus Aurelius's return to our country is a concrete result of our years-long pursuit of justice.' The headless statue had been on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art from April to July, before its return to Turkiye. Ersoy said Turkiye was determined to protect all its cultural heritage that has been smuggled out. 'We will soon present the Philosopher Emperor to the people of (Turkiye's capital) Ankara in a surprise exhibition,' he announced.
RNZ News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Looting the temples: a story of crime and redemption
Photo: LOOT A new documentary uncovers the illicit trade in thousand-year-old looted Cambodian temple treasures. From remote villages to elite international art institutions, LOOT uncovers the underbelly of a multi-billion-dollar trade in blood antiquities and the global art houses receiving them. LOOT is part of Doc Edge Film Festival , on now. Mihi speaks with filmmaker Don Millar.
CTV News
24-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
1,000-year-old sword decorated with spiritual symbols found in Dutch river
A medieval sword has gone on display at a museum in the Netherlands after its chance discovery during a dredging operation on a river in the centre of the country. The sword was found during routine maintenance at the Linschoten Estate on March 1, 2024, and has been donated to the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) in Leiden, according to a statement from the museum on Tuesday. Dating from around 1050 to 1150 and measuring one metre (3.3 feet) in length, the sword is inlaid with gold-colored copper forming the shape of a cross and a spiritual symbol known as an endless knot, the museum added. It features a long crossguard and a nut-shaped pommel, said the museum, which added that it was made from high-quality iron mined at Veluwe. 'The sword remains remarkably well-preserved after a thousand years. Only the organic components – such as the wooden grip and any leather wrappings – have succumbed to time,' reads the statement. 'The iron is barely corroded due to the oxygen-poor environment of the wet soil. Traces of the wooden hilt are still visible on the preserved sword,' it added. Sword Ruben de Heer It appears that the sword was deposited in the river on purpose, and there were no traces of a scabbard found nearby. 'Medieval swords were deeply personal possessions: they were either buried with their owner or – alternatively – ritually deposited into water,' said the museum. 'In the latter case, they are often exceptionally well preserved,' it added. At the time it was forged, the area would have been ruled by the Bishop of Utrecht, a nearby city, although he would have been in frequent conflict with the Counts of Holland and Flanders, who were becoming increasingly powerful. 'This era also saw a shift in military tactics and weaponry: vertical slashing from horseback gave way to horizontal thrusting between pieces of armour,' said the museum. 'This sword, which could be wielded with one hand, embodies that transitional phase – suited to both techniques.' By Jack Guy, CNN
CNN
24-06-2025
- General
- CNN
1,000-year-old sword decorated with spiritual symbols found in Dutch river
A medieval sword has gone on display at a museum in the Netherlands after its chance discovery during a dredging operation on a river in the center of the country. The sword was found during routine maintenance at the Linschoten Estate on March 1, 2024, and has been donated to the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) in Leiden, according to a statement from the museum on Tuesday. Dating from around 1050 to 1150 and measuring one meter (3.3 feet) in length, the sword is inlaid with gold-colored copper forming the shape of a cross and a spiritual symbol known as an endless knot, the museum added. It features a long crossguard and a nut-shaped pommel, said the museum, which added that it was made from high-quality iron mined at Veluwe. 'The sword remains remarkably well-preserved after a thousand years. Only the organic components – such as the wooden grip and any leather wrappings – have succumbed to time,' reads the statement. 'The iron is barely corroded due to the oxygen-poor environment of the wet soil. Traces of the wooden hilt are still visible on the preserved sword,' it added. It appears that the sword was deposited in the river on purpose, and there were no traces of a scabbard found nearby. 'Medieval swords were deeply personal possessions: they were either buried with their owner or – alternatively – ritually deposited into water,' said the museum. 'In the latter case, they are often exceptionally well preserved,' it added. At the time it was forged, the area would have been ruled by the Bishop of Utrecht, a nearby city, although he would have been in frequent conflict with the Counts of Holland and Flanders, who were becoming increasingly powerful. 'This era also saw a shift in military tactics and weaponry: vertical slashing from horseback gave way to horizontal thrusting between pieces of armour,' said the museum. 'This sword, which could be wielded with one hand, embodies that transitional phase – suited to both techniques.'
