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Istanbul presents returned antiquities alongside the Boubon exhibition

Istanbul Archaeological Museums presented 100 objects returned to Türkiye from the United States and opened No Escape: Boubon. The programme brought together Bronze Age metalwork, ancient architectural panels and the restitution history of Roman bronzes. Officials described documentary research and scientific comparisons used to reconnect dispersed objects with their archaeological origins.

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The weathered green and brown patina of an ancient bronze surface under museum light.

Returned antiquities go on show in Istanbul

Türkiye presented 100 antiquities returned from the United States at Istanbul Archaeological Museums, alongside the opening of No Escape: Boubon. Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy attended with Manhattan prosecutor Matthew Bogdanos. The exhibition follows the recovery of Roman bronzes removed from the ancient settlement of Boubon in Burdur, southwestern Türkiye.[1], [2]

The 40 objects come from Horoztepe in Tokat and date to about 2300–2000 BCE. They include ceremonial instruments, weapons and metal vessels. Another 44 are sixth-century BCE terracotta panels from Düver in Burdur, originally used on ancient buildings. A portrait from Aphrodisias, theatrical masks and goddess figurines also feature among the returned objects.[1]

Documents halted an auction in May

Ersoy said evidence sent to the Manhattan district attorney and US Homeland Security Investigations stopped a planned auction in May. Düver objects had previously returned from the United States in 2022, Denmark in 2024 and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in 2025. The Getty museum group followed those earlier recoveries.[1]

Research reconnects the Boubon bronzes

Boubon’s bronzes were dispersed through illicit digging in the 1960s. Archaeologist Jale İnan’s study of inscriptions and bases, and journalist Özgen Acar’s investigations, helped trace them. Ersoy said a foot cast, soil comparisons and lead-isotope analysis supported the Marcus Aurelius case. Excavation resumed in 2023 under Burdur Museum, with archaeologist Düzgün Tarkan’s team.[1]

References

  1. News source10HaberTürkiye presents 100 returned artefacts and opens Boubon exhibition↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceAnadolu AjansıTürkiye presents 100 returned artefacts and opens Boubon exhibition↩

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