One of Anatolia’s most precious bronze statues, the figure of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, has been successfully returned to Turkey—65 years after it was illegally excavated from the ancient city of Boubon and smuggled abroad.
The statue had been a centerpiece at the Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio, USA, but a determined and decades-long effort by the Turkish government, archaeologists, and legal experts has finally resulted in its repatriation.
Minister: “We Were Right, We Were Patient, and We Won”
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy made a passionate announcement on social media, saying:
“It was a long and difficult struggle. We were right, we were determined, we were patient—and we won. We scraped together the evidence with our fingernails and brought the ‘Philosopher Emperor’ Marcus Aurelius back to the land he belongs.”
A 65-Year-Old Chase: From Boubon to Ohio
Dating back to the 2nd–3rd centuries AD, the Marcus Aurelius statue was looted in the 1960s from Boubon, an ancient Roman city located in modern-day Gölhisar, Burdur, Turkey. Over time, the statue found its way into the Cleveland Museum’s collection, despite increasing scholarly scrutiny about its origins.
The statue gained attention largely due to the pioneering research of the late Prof. Dr. Jale İnan, a prominent figure in Turkish archaeology, who first identified its significance and probable origin.
Legal and Scientific Victory
In 2021, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism launched a joint investigation with the New York District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The collaboration not only targeted Marcus Aurelius’s statue but also other Roman statues from Boubon, including those of Lucius Verus, Septimius Severus, and Caracalla.
Evidence presented included:
- Matching foot imprints and sandal designs between the statue and its original pedestal
- Eyewitness accounts from the 1967 illegal excavation
- Soil composition analysis comparing the statue’s interior with authenticated Boubon artifacts
A notable reference sample was taken from the Valerianus statue, confiscated in 1967 and housed in the Burdur Museum.
Cleveland Museum Finally Withdrew Its Objection
Despite the Cleveland Museum’s appeal in 2023 to the New York Supreme Court disputing the statue’s origin, tests conducted at the Curt Engelhorn Archaeometry Center in Germany confirmed that the bronze statue had indeed remained buried in Boubon soil for centuries.
By May 2024, silicone molds taken from the statue’s feet showed a perfect fit with the Boubon pedestal. After conclusive soil analysis and documentation, the museum dropped its legal claims, and the statue was officially returned to Turkey.
A Symbolic Win in the Fight Against Cultural Looting
According to officials, this case marks one of the most significant legal and diplomatic victories in Turkey’s decades-long effort to retrieve stolen cultural assets. It highlights the importance of international cooperation, scientific research, and historical justice in preserving global heritage.
The Head of the Department of Anti-Smuggling of Cultural Heritage, Zeynep Boz, stated that this moment became possible through sheer perseverance and belief. When no soil sample could be extracted from the statue, the team relied on their instincts—scraping with their bare hands until the much-needed evidence was finally retrieved.
Coming Soon: A Special Exhibition in Ankara
Minister Ersoy also announced that Marcus Aurelius’s statue will soon be featured in a surprise exhibition in Ankara, allowing the public to witness the triumphant return of a long-lost masterpiece of ancient Roman art.
The bronze figure is especially unique as it portrays Marcus Aurelius in his philosopher role, making it one of the few known representations that highlight his intellectual legacy, rather than his military might.
Turkey’s Commitment to Cultural Heritage
This successful repatriation underscores Turkey’s ongoing determination to reclaim its stolen heritage. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism continues to work closely with international institutions, museums, and law enforcement to ensure that all cultural assets taken unlawfully are brought back home.
