A stolen piece of the famous mosaic of the Gypsy Girl of Zeugma, considered one of the most iconic works of Turkey’s archaeological heritage, has been returned by the US following an operation backed by scientific research and coordinated through diplomatic channels, according to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, stated in a message posted on social media that “following the return of the 12 panels we previously recovered, the 13th piece of the main composition has also returned to its rightful home thanks to scientific studies and diplomatic initiatives. The panel, which bears significant similarities in style and composition to the works on display at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, was handed over to our country following the investigations carried out”.
As reported by the Turkish news channel TRT Haber, the fragment was located in the United States and is believed to be a section belonging to the panel of the mosaic popularly known as the Gypsy Girl of Zeugma, a huge Roman floor mosaic discovered in 1998 during rescue excavations at the archaeological site of the ancient city of Zeugma.
A Roman mosaic that became the symbol of Gaziantep
The original composition, measuring approximately 9.25 by 13.5 metres, is one of the best-preserved works of art from ancient Zeugma and is particularly renowned for the expressive head of a maenad popularly known as the “Gypsy Girl”, associated with the iconography of Dionysus; today, it is one of the most internationally recognised symbols of the south-eastern city of Gaziantep.
The fragment was identified after appearing in an advertisement for art auctions on the internet; the alert was initially reported by the director of the Zeugma excavations, Kutalmış Görkay, prompting a series of academic assessments. Comparative analyses of the colours of the tesserae, the geometric edges, the cutting patterns and the overall composition subsequently confirmed that the piece belonged to the original Zeugma Gypsy Girl Mosaic.
Following the discovery, the Turkish authorities contacted the US Department of Homeland Security, to which they presented the evidence obtained through scientific studies. The documentation provided included evidence relating to past illegal excavations at Zeugma and was further supported by the return, back in 2018, of a further 12 stolen pieces linked to the same mosaic; consequently, the Turkish government requested the confiscation of the work under the bilateral agreements in force between the two countries.
Once the investigation by the US authorities was concluded, the panel was handed over to the Turkish Consulate General in Chicago and, from there, was transported to Turkey on a Turkish Cargo flight. Following the due scientific examinations, the piece was temporarily deposited at the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, located in Ankara; once the necessary formalities have been completed, the fragment will be sent to Gaziantep to be exhibited alongside the rest of the work at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where the famous Gypsy Girl mosaic is currently on display.
📚 If you want to learn more about the history of Turkey, we recommend:
🧿 Discover here more recommended products about Turkey
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support this website.
VOTE
EDITORIAL TEAM
🧿 About us
.
Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
…
📣 Your ADVERTISING on Hispanatolia
.
🤗 HELP US WITH A DONATION:
💗 Paypal
