Looting in Turkey creates logistical problems for museum

Last year, 68,000 objects were seized by the authorities

Published on 11 August 2011

Author(s): AMA/

Type:  News

Turkish newspapers have revealed the extent to which the looting and smuggling of artefacts is taking place in Turkey. Last year, 68,000 objects, approximatively 1,300 per week, were seized by the authorities. About 5,000 individuals were involved with the smuggling ring.

Most of the investigations and legal proceedings are still underway. According to the Turkish law, the nearest museum must take charge of the stolen artefacts. Consequently, archaeological museums are filled with confiscated items and their stocks continues to increase, creating storage, handling, cataloguing and preservation problems.

Most of the objects are seized in Istanbul and so the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul currently houses more than 25,000 confiscated objects.

“We are waiting for a decision by the court to alter the status of the artefacts,” said a representative from the museum management team to Daily News, adding that according to this decision, they should be able to officially include the artefacts in the museum’s inventory.

“However, even as we wait, the police keep bringing new artefacts to the museum. We need to solve the storage room problem in the museum as soon as possible.”

Back to previous page