The statue of Marcus Aurelius, formerly part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection in the United States, is being repatriated to Türkiye following extensive scientific and legal efforts.
Recognized as one of the most exquisite bronze artifacts of antiquity, the statue is distinguished by its portrayal of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius as a philosopher.
Illegally excavated in the 1960s from the ancient city of Boubon in Burdur, Türkiye, the statue dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.
Originally housed in the Sebasteion, a significant cult structure of the Ancient Roman era, this invaluable artifact is set to return to its homeland later this year.
A Smuggled Treasure Passed Through Many Hands
This bronze statue, a lost treasure of Anatolian history, was illicitly unearthed and trafficked abroad in the 1960s, changing hands multiple times over the decades.
Acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio, the statue remained one of the many artifacts Türkiye sought to reclaim for over 65 years.
Although Prof. Dr. Jale İnan’s research shed light on artifacts looted from Boubon, the repatriation of the Marcus Aurelius statue had remained unresolved until now.
Since 2021, Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has collaborated with the New York Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to recover several Boubon-origin artifacts, including statues of Lucius Verus, Septimius Severus, and Emperor Caracalla.
Scientific Evidence and Legal Proceedings Confirm the Statue’s Origin
Decades of research conducted by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, combined with previously gathered scientific data, firmly established the statue’s origins in Boubon’s Sebasteion.
Archival records, academic studies, and excavations at the site provided conclusive proof of the statue’s provenance.
Additionally, witness testimonies concerning widespread looting in the 1960s further substantiated the evidence, leading the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and HSI to rule in favor of Türkiye’s claim and seize the statue from the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Museum’s Legal Challenge Overruled: The Artifact Returns Home
In October 2023, the Cleveland Museum of Art contested the statue’s seizure in court, arguing that its origins were uncertain. However, Türkiye presented compelling scientific evidence that decisively refuted the museum’s claims.
Despite possessing conclusive proof, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism opted for a diplomatic approach, accommodating the museum’s request for further scientific analysis.
Under the Ministry’s supervision in May 2024, a silicone cast of the statue’s base was taken at the museum, revealing a perfect match with pedestals from Boubon.
Additional lead isotope, stone, and soil analyses were conducted by Prof. Dr. Ernst Pernicka, an archaeometry expert appointed by the museum, alongside Ministry conservators. These impartial tests, carried out at Germany’s Curt Engelhorn Center for Archaeometry, confirmed that the statue had been buried in Boubon for centuries.
Presented with indisputable scientific evidence, the Cleveland Museum of Art ultimately accepted the statue’s repatriation, a decision officially conveyed to Türkiye by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
A Landmark Victory for Cultural Heritage Preservation
This achievement not only marks a significant milestone in protecting Türkiye’s cultural heritage but also serves as a pivotal success in the global fight against antiquities trafficking.
Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism remains resolute in its mission to reclaim looted artifacts through diplomatic, legal, and scientific efforts. The return of the Marcus Aurelius statue stands as a defining victory in this ongoing pursuit of cultural justice.
