A fresco from Pompeii is among 60 archaeological finds that have been returned from the United States, where they had been sold by international art traffickers, Italy's art cops said Monday.
The works, worth over 20 million euro, have returned to Italy thanks to the collaboration between the Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (TPC), Italy's world-famous art cops, and the New York County District Attorney's Office (DAO).
Among the recovered artifacts is a Pompeian fresco from clandestine excavations in the Vesuvian area, showing the Baby Hercules with Snake, dating back to the 1st century AD.
"This is a great success against illicit trafficking," commented Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano.
The works were recovered from public and private American collections and one top collector was banned for life from buying antiquities as a consequence of the TPC's work.
An ancient bronze sculpture among the returned artifacts. (Photo: ANSA)
