Roman-age artifacts come back to Turkey

ISTANBUL

U.S. officials have returned an illegally exported Roman-age horse bridle and 10 engraved slabs to Turkish officials, Turkey’s Culture Ministry has said.

The ministry issued a statement on Oct. 7, saying it had managed to acquire the historic pieces after conducting long legal, diplomatic and academic efforts.

In the statement, Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik expressed his determination to fight the illegal trafficking of historical pieces, adding the pieces were delivered to the Turkish Consulate General in Los Angeles.

The statement also said the pieces were illegally exported 40 years ago and were currently under protection in a museum in Ankara.