Twenty-nine antiquities were handed over to Greek authorities on Friday (03.10.2025) by Matthew Bogdanos, head of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit and a Greek-American prosecutor from Manhattan, New York, according to a statement from the Ministry of Culture. The handover ceremony took place at the Consulate General of Greece in New York, attended by Secretary General of Culture George Didasakalou, Consul General Iphigenia Kanara, and officials from the Directorate for Documentation and Protection of Cultural Goods.
The repatriated artifacts span a broad chronological range, from the Late Neolithic period (5000–4000 BC) to the Late Hellenistic era (2nd–1st century BC), representing significant examples of sculpture, metalwork, and ceramics. Highlights include:
– Two stone axe heads (5000–4000 BC)
– A Minoan agate sealstone depicting a goat (3100 BC)
– Three marble Proto-Cycladic libation vessels (2700–2400 BC)
– A Proto-Cycladic amphora with false neck (2700–2300 BC)
– A Mycenaean pseudo-mouthed amphora (1200–110 BC)
– Two bronze belt fittings from Western Macedonia (7th century BC)
– A bronze furniture leg shaped like a Siren, likely from a Laconian workshop (circa 600 BC)
– A marble kouros head (mid-6th century BC)
– A bronze Medusa Gorgon appliqué, possibly from Corinth (late 6th century BC)
– A bronze coiled snake ornament (5th century BC)
– A gold pendant necklace (5th–4th century BC)
– Two iron sacrificial knives (5th–4th century BC)
– Three silver conical cups (circa 300 BC)
– A bronze attachment featuring the bust of Atalanta (2nd–1st century BC)
Most of these items had been illegally trafficked and ended up in the art trade, particularly through Fortuna Fine Arts. Months-long investigations by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, supported by Homeland Security Investigations and archaeological documentation provided by Greece’s Directorate for Documentation and Protection of Cultural Goods, confirmed their illicit origins and led to their seizure and return.
Eighteen of the 29 artifacts had previously been held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, with which Greece’s Ministry of Culture maintains ongoing cooperation.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni stated: “Every repatriation of Greek antiquities is highly significant and validates the policies pursued by the Ministry in recent years. Greece is now internationally recognized as a country that places the fight against illegal trafficking of cultural goods at the highest level—this phenomenon is directly linked to organized crime and terrorism. This was evident at Mondiacult, UNESCO’s global cultural policy conference in Barcelona.”
She added: “The latest success by the Antiquities Trafficking Unit led by Matthew Bogdanos and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations fills us with joy and optimism. I’ve said it many times, and I’ll continue to emphasize: combating illicit trafficking requires strong collaborations and relentless effort. We are fortunate to have built and sustained these partnerships and to see tangible results. My heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the return of these 29 artifacts.”
Matthew Bogdanos remarked: “This success belongs to my colleagues in the Antiquities Trafficking Unit and to Greece’s Ministry of Culture, which consistently and promptly supports our documentation efforts. We remain determined—we do not rest, we do not delay. This is the time, this is the place, and these are the people to fight against the illegal trafficking of cultural heritage.”
Secretary General George Didasakalou said: “It is a great honor and joy to be here today to receive these 29 antiquities returning to Greece thanks to the long-term work of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit. The Ministry, through its competent Directorate, will continue close cooperation with the Manhattan DA’s Office, which will undoubtedly yield even richer results in the future.”