Sought after Marcus Aurelius statue returned to Türkiye from US
Marcus Aurelius statue. (AA Photo).
A Marcus Aurelius statue, which was illegally taken out of Türkiye in the 1960s through illicit excavations and has changed hands numerous times, is now being returned from the U.S.
In a written statement from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, it was revealed that the statue, which depicts the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius as a philosopher, was taken from the Boubon Ancient City in Burdur through illegal excavations in the 1960s and has changed ownership many times over the years.
The Marcus Aurelius statue, currently housed in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in the United States, is set to be returned to Türkiye following years of scientific and legal efforts.
The statue, which dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, is expected to return to Türkiye later this year.
The statement outlining the process of the statue’s return emphasized that in October 2023, the Cleveland Museum of Art filed a lawsuit against the confiscation decision, arguing that the origins of the statue were uncertain. However, Türkiye’s data and analysis successfully disproved the museum’s claims.
“A historic return”
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy also made a statement regarding the return of the Marcus Aurelius statue via his social media account.
In his statement titled “A Historic Return,” Ersoy wrote, “The statue, considered one of the rarest bronze works of the ancient era, is returning to its rightful land. Thanks to the strong cooperation between our Ministry, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Marcus Aurelius statue is being returned to Türkiye after many years.”
Ersoy expressed pride in returning another piece of cultural heritage to Türkiye through scientific evidence, thorough research, and international legal efforts. He also added the following in his statement:
“We continue to protect our cultural heritage. Through international collaborations, we are bringing back our stolen artifacts one by one. I would like to thank all of our institutions, experts, and officials who contributed to this process. History is beautiful in its rightful place, and we will preserve it.”
