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U.S. Returns 26 Ancient Artifacts to Greece, Including Asclepius Torso
🇬🇷 Greece /Culture & Society

U.S. Returns 26 Ancient Artifacts to Greece, Including Asclepius Torso

From Ta Nea · (36m ago) Greek Positive tone

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, announced the repatriation of 26 ancient artifacts to Greece.
  • The artifacts were handed over by U.S. authorities (ICE HSI) to the Hellenic Republic in Washington D.C. on April 23rd.
  • Among the returned items is a marble torso depicting Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine, dating back to the 1st or 2nd century AD.

Greece has once again reclaimed a piece of its invaluable cultural heritage, with the repatriation of 26 ancient artifacts from the United States. The announcement, made by U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle via social media, marks a significant victory in the ongoing global effort to protect and recover stolen antiquities. This latest return, facilitated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), underscores the strong bilateral cooperation aimed at combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

The return of the ancient treasures to Greece was announced by the Ambassador of the United States to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, through her personal social media account.

— Ta NeaThe article notes how the news of the repatriation was initially shared by the U.S. Ambassador to Greece.

The ceremony, held on April 23rd at the Greek Embassy in Washington D.C., saw the formal handover of these precious items. The recovered artifacts represent a diverse range of historical significance, offering tangible links to Greece's rich past. The centerpiece of this repatriation is a remarkable marble torso of Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of healing. This exquisite sculpture, dating back to the Roman period (1st-2nd century AD), stands as a testament to the artistic mastery and spiritual beliefs of antiquity.

In Washington D.C., a repatriation ceremony for 26 ancient artifacts took place on April 23rd at the Embassy of Greece.

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)ICE provided information about the ceremony where the artifacts were officially returned to Greece.

This successful recovery is the result of diligent investigative work by HSI and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The collaboration between U.S. law enforcement and Greek authorities has been instrumental in tracing and securing these artifacts, preventing them from being lost to the black market. For Greece, each repatriated item is not merely an object of historical value; it is a vital component of national identity and a connection to its ancestral legacy. Ta Nea celebrates this triumph, recognizing it as a crucial step in safeguarding Greece's millennia-old civilization for future generations and reinforcing the nation's commitment to reclaiming its heritage wherever it may be found.

The object was seized by the competent authorities following an extensive investigation by HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection).

— ICEThe article details the investigative process that led to the seizure and subsequent return of the artifacts.
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Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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