Statue head of Septimius Severus, terracotta slabs returned to Türkiye
The head of the statue of Septimius Severus, which was stolen from Türkiye, has been returned to its homeland from the Glyptotek Museum in Denmark through efforts led by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. (AA Photo)
The statue head of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and 48 terracotta architectural slabs, looted from Türkiye, have been returned to their homeland through efforts by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
These artifacts were repatriated from the Glyptotek Museum in Denmark.
A historic return of looted artifacts
Speaking at a ceremony in Antalya Archaeological Museum, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, confirmed the return of the statue head of Septimius Severus, originating from Boubon ancient city in Burdur, and 48 terracotta slabs from Düver village, Burdur.
These pieces, which were stolen during illegal excavations in the 1960s, are significant due to their connection to a once-flourishing Roman city.
Ersoy emphasized the importance of this repatriation, explaining how the Boubon city faced considerable damage during the 1960s due to illicit excavations. Many artifacts were smuggled out of Türkiye and sold through fraudulent documents, primarily entering markets in Switzerland and the United States.
A detective-like effort to reclaim history
The Ministry’s collaboration with the Anti-Smuggling Department and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has led to the return of many Boubon-origin artifacts, including sculptures of Lucius Verus, Septimius Severus, and Caracalla. These items were returned after painstaking detective-like efforts, involving documents, witness statements, and forensic research.
Ersoy recounted how the statue head of Septimius Severus was among those smuggled abroad following illicit excavations in the 1960s. Notably, the Glyptotek Museum, after thorough investigation and evidence review, decided to repatriate the artifact to Türkiye for ethical reasons.
Artifacts’ return and preservation efforts
Minister Ersoy also shared that there are ongoing efforts to restore and reunite the head with its original body. He explained that in the ancient world, statues were often modified during the reign of new emperors, where different heads were attached to the same body.
As a result, special care is being taken to reunite the head and body without damaging the precious artifact.
Terracotta slabs from Duver Village: A glimpse into ancient Pisidia culture
In addition to the statue head, 48 terracotta slabs originating from Duver village were also returned. These slabs, dating back to the 6th century B.C., are crucial for understanding the culture of ancient Pisidia. They had been illicitly excavated during the 1960s and eventually ended up in private collections worldwide.
Ersoy stressed Türkiye’s commitment to reclaiming any cultural artifacts, regardless of where they have been taken. “It is our fundamental responsibility to trace and bring back every artifact looted from these lands,” he said.
Türkiye’s ongoing efforts in cultural repatriation
Minister Ersoy highlighted that, between 2002 and 2025, a total of 13,282 artifacts have been repatriated to Türkiye. These include significant items like the Gypsy Girl Mosaics, a Roman-period stela from Zeugma, and a bronze statue of the goddess Kybele. In 2024 alone, 1,149 historical artifacts were successfully returned.
“Repatriation is not just about recovering stolen items,” said Ersoy. “It’s about ensuring these artifacts remain within our cultural heritage and are studied and preserved for future generations.”
A collaborative effort between Türkiye and Denmark
Denmark’s Ambassador to Ankara, Ole Toft, expressed his pleasure at returning the artifacts to their rightful place. He acknowledged the significant role that the Glyptotek Museum played in facilitating the process after confirming the origins of the slabs.
He also noted that Türkiye remains a top destination for Danish tourists, with 350,000 Danes visiting Türkiye last year, 200,000 of whom visited the Antalya region.
