Türkiye repatriates ancient Smyrna marble head from US museum

Türkiye has successfully secured the return of a marble head from the ancient city of Smyrna that had been held in the United States, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced Tuesday. The artifact, previously part of the Denver Art Museum collection, was repatriated after scientific verification of its origin. Ersoy said 1934 reports and expert analyses confirmed the piece came from excavations at the Smyrna Ancient City’s Agora and dates to the Theodosius period.

Illegal Export and Repatriation

The marble head, believed to date to the 5th century AD, had been taken abroad through illegal means. “Through cooperation and constructive dialogue with the Denver Art Museum, we have brought this artifact back home,” Ersoy said. The artifact is now on display at the İzmir Archaeology Museum. The minister thanked teams from the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums and others involved in the process.

Commitment to Cultural Heritage

“We will continue to protect our cultural heritage with determination,” Ersoy said. The repatriation marks another success in Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to recover looted antiquities from collections around the world. The return of the Smyrna marble head follows similar recoveries of artefacts from other countries, demonstrating Ankara’s commitment to preserving its historical legacy for future generations.