2,000-YEAR-OLD HELLENISTIC ERA STATUE HEAD DISCOVERED IN DISHWASHER

Mon 19 June 2023:

In a recent operation organized by the police in the Karabağlar district of Izmir, a 2,000-year-old female statue head belonging to the Hellenistic period was seized.

The statue head, which was intended to be smuggled out of Türkiye to be sold at high prices in foreign auctions, was discovered hidden in a sack inside a pot in a dishwasher during a search of a house on June 13.

The confiscated statue head has been handed over to the Izmir Archeology Museum for further examination.

Additionally, one individual found in the house was detained in connection with the incident. Following the necessary police procedures, the suspect was subsequently released under the order of the prosecutor.

The authorities are actively investigating the case to uncover any additional details and potential involvement in illegal antiquities trafficking.

Securing the Artifact

The confiscated artifact, which had survived two millennia only to end up hidden in a dishwasher, was entrusted to the Izmir Archeology Museum for a detailed examination. The expertise of the museum’s archaeologists will shed more light on the significance and potential origins of the statue.

Following the operation and the extraordinary discovery, one individual found on the premises was detained. After undergoing the requisite procedures at the police station, the suspect was released on orders from the prosecutor’s office.

This unusual incident serves as a stark reminder of the illicit trade in antiquities that poses a severe threat to preserving historical artifacts and heritage. The relentless vigilance of law enforcement agencies and the cooperation of communities is essential in thwarting such unlawful activities.

The dishwasher in this Izmir home, initially intended to be an ingenious hiding place, ended up serving as the vessel that preserved a valuable piece of history and foiled an antique smuggling attempt.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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