Italy Recovers 337 Looted Antiquities
Italy recovered 337 looted antiquities from the U.S., highlighting increased cooperation in combating illicit art trafficking.
Ayla Demirhan ·
Italy Recovers 337 Looted Antiquities Italy has recovered 337 looted antiquities from the United States, officials announced on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Rome. This repatriation marks one of the largest recent returns of stolen cultural property, underscoring enhanced cooperation between Italian and U.S. authorities in combating illicit art trafficking.
The recovered artifacts, which include ancient Roman sculptures, as well as Greek, Etruscan, and Egyptian pieces, were presented at the headquarters of Italy's Carabinieri cultural protection unit. Investigations, many centered in New York, led to the recovery of these items. The Manhattan district attorney's office was instrumental in locating 221 objects from this collection.
Italy has actively pursued the repatriation of thousands of illicitly excavated antiquities, valued at tens of millions of euros, over several decades. This campaign has intensified in recent years, supported by technological advancements, online databases, and strengthened collaboration with U.S. law enforcement. Among the notable items returned are a first-century AD marble head of Alexander the Great, stolen from a Rome museum in 1960, and a bronze sculpture from Herculaneum.