Eighty ancient Cypriot artifacts repatriated from US

More than 80 Cypriot antiquities are being repatriated from the USA to Cyprus it was announced on Tuesday in a ceremony held in Washington for the occasion.

Cyprus Ambassador to the US, Marios Lysiotis, stated he was happy to see the US authorities, that is, the department of homeland security investigations (HSI), the FBI and the US department of customs, cooperate to protect the island’s cultural heritage.

HSI Director of International Operations, Ricardo Mayoral, stated that he was honoured to return a valuable piece of cultural property to the people of Cyprus.

“We are returning an Iron Age oenochoae (wine) jug of from 800 to 600 BC. Some time ago we also had the pleasure of returning two rare ancient Cypriot coins, one of which dates back to 385 BC, as well as an 18th century fresco,” Mayoral said.

In a Twitter post, the Embassy of Cyprus in Washington stated they had welcomed the presence of the Director of the Department of Antiquities, Marina Solomidou-Ieronymidou at the repatriation ceremony.

Had the pleasure of welcoming Director of the Dept of Antiquities, Dr. Marina Solomidou-Ieronymidou, to DC & holding a repatriation ceremony for over 80 #Cypriot #antiquities. Glad to see collaboration w/ US authorities from HSI, the FBI, & CBP for #culturalheritage protection! pic.twitter.com/eZbzdtXY4k

— Cyprus Embassy in US (@CyprusinUSA) April 24, 2023