Cleveland Museum Returns $20 Million Statue to Turkey

The Cleveland Museum of Art has agreed to return a bronze statue, once thought to depict Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, to Turkey after investigations confirmed its looted origins from the ancient city of Bubon. The statue, valued at $20 million, has been part of the museum's collection since 1986 and was seized following a criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Scientific tests indicated that the statue was likely present at the archaeological site, leading the museum to retract its legal challenge against the seizure. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg praised the cooperation between authorities and the museum, emphasizing the importance of returning stolen cultural artifacts. While the museum acknowledged the statue's likely origins, they noted ongoing discussions about its depiction, suggesting it may represent a Greek philosopher instead. The statue's return highlights the ongoing efforts to repatriate cultural heritage items looted from Turkey in the past.