[MSN] As repercussions over the theft of the renowned "Winged Sea Horse Brooch, " considered the most precious piece of King Croesus' treasure in Usak Museum, continue, similar scandals have been revealed at the museums of Kahramanmaras, Erzurum and Milas as wel

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

06.09.2006 Friday - ISTANBUL 05:58 

History Plundered in Turkish Museums 
By Abdullah Kilic, Aslihan Aydin, Istanbul, Ankara 
Published: Thursday, June 08, 2006 
zaman.com 


 As repercussions over the theft of the renowned "Winged Sea Horse Brooch,"
considered the most precious piece of King Croesus' treasure in Usak Museum,
continue, similar scandals have been revealed at the museums of
Kahramanmaras, Erzurum and Milas as well.

Some 1,000 historical works, mostly coins, are reported to have been
replaced with counterfeit ones. 

It is claimed that several ethnographic and archeological works were also
stolen, some of which date to 330 B.C. 

Dozens of coins were bought for the museums' collections for very high
prices though it was reportedly known they were forged. 

Many works are also missing at Erzurum's Archeological Museum. 

Some historical works present in inventory records but absent in the museum
were seen in the catalogue of a prominent collector. 

The ministry will reportedly initiate efforts to reclaim the works from the
collector. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that the museum now possesses fake
copies, while the authentic artifacts went to the collector. 

The "Black List" prepared cites more than 200 works are missing from the
Milas Museum (Mugla). 

Culture and Tourism Minister, Atilla Koc, answering Zaman's questions said
they have started a serious operation for the museums in question. 

Koc stated they conducted a thorough examination of 32 museums and added the
results will be announced to the public shortly. 

Koc's statement "There has been a similar theft somewhere else, but I will
discuss the issue before seeing the final results. We could have closed the
museum(s) down but I do not think this is what should be done," on Tuesday
is now being decoded. 

Reportedly, the inspectors sent to Maras upon an anonymous tip given to the
ministry came face to face with an incredible case. 

Inspectors, astonished by the dimensions of the theft, immediately prepared
a preliminary report and asked for an expert delegation and the expanding of
the investigation. 

The inspectors intensified the investigation upon Minister Koc's order "go
till the end," and revealed a theft unparalleled in the history of museums. 

Fake Coins Found on Display at Kahramanmaras Museum 

An inspection at Kahramanmaras Museum has revealed 545 coins dating back to
333 and 361 B.C. have been stolen and replaced with copies. 

Kahramanmaras Governor Ilhan Atis confirmed the theft and said the head of
Kahramanmaras Museum was transferred to Istanbul in 1998. 

The former administrator had said he counted the artifacts and had handed
them over to an archive storeroom employee; however, it was later discovered
thatthe artifacts had not been counted. 

On learning of this, the governor's office applied to Culture and Tourism
Ministry and asked for an official inspection. 

Governor Atis said they have applied to court and an investigation was
launched against the employee in charge of the museum warehouse. 

Thousands of the artifacts held at the Kahramanmaras Museum should have been
registered by an "expert," but it has been revealed they were entrusted to a
storeroom employee. 

The question being asked now was why no legal proceeding has been launched
since the investigation in1998. 

Appointed to another city in 1998, head of the Kahramanmaras Museum, Ahmet
Denizhanogullari, returned to his post following a court verdict; however,
since then, he has neither assumed responsibility for the artifacts nor has
he had them counted and referenced. 

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Atilla Koc spoke to Zaman and said, "I
cannot go into detail about who I referred to in my previous statements
because I am a man of law. I will wait until the investigation has
concluded, just as I waited for the outcome of the investigation into the
theft at Usak museum. However, I can say, that it is true that the ministry
has launched inspections at a number of museums and around 32 museums are
undergoing comprehensive inspections. I will share the outcomes of these
inspections with the public when they are complete." 

http://www.zaman.com/