The Cypriot authorities announced the return to their homeland of a valuable archaeological artifact, which was handed over to the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Paris on December 19. This was officially announced by the Department of Antiquities.
We are talking about an ancient ceramic vessel - a bowl from the Cypro-Geometric Culture III period (approximately 900-750 BC), decorated with a characteristic black and red ornament. The artifact was discovered by department specialists while monitoring the illicit trafficking of Cypriot antiquities on the Internet. The bowl was for sale at one of the online auctions and was immediately withdrawn after contacting the auction organizers.
Experts specify that the vessel is of the Bichrome III type and has two handles. Its outer surface is decorated with vertical lines framing a swastika pattern, characteristic of the decorative motifs of that historical period, and the inner part is decorated with concentric stripes.
The Department of Antiquities expressed its gratitude to the auction house Nabécor Enchères, as well as to private individuals who voluntarily handed over the find to the state. Special thanks were addressed to the Embassy of Cyprus in Paris for facilitating and coordinating the process of returning cultural property to its homeland.
The return of the artifact was another confirmation of the active work of the Cypriot authorities to protect cultural heritage and combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities abroad. In recent years, Cyprus has been actively cooperating with international organizations and foreign institutions, seeking the repatriation of items taken outside the country without permission.
Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com
