Current:Home > MarketsMet museum is returning looted ancient art to Cambodia and Thailand-LoTradeCoin
Met museum is returning looted ancient art to Cambodia and Thailand
View Date:2024-12-23 19:53:47
The Metropolitan Museum of Art says it will return 16 ancient artifacts back to Cambodia and Thailand. The works, mostly sculptures, had been looted from those countries years ago during decades of civil war and unrest.
Among the works are a large head of Buddha made of stone in the seventh century, and a tenth century sandstone goddess statue from the Koh Ker archaeological site.
Thirteen of the works are being returned to Cambodia in concert with an investigation from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York and Homeland Security. The Met also independently determined that two other works from the period should be returned to Thailand, and one other work to Cambodia.
Erin Keegan, a special agent with Homeland Security, said in a statement that the investigation had revealed that the works had been "shamelessly stolen" by the art dealer, collector and scholar Douglas A. J. Latchford, who was indicted in 2019 for "running a vast antiquities trafficking network out of Southeast Asia," according to United States Attorney Damien Williams. Latchford died the following year, but had denied any involvement in smuggling.
Met officials say they are reviewing their collecting practices, and are hiring additional staff as provenance researchers.
Max Hollein, the chief executive officer of the Met, said in a statement that the museum is "committed to pursuing partnerships and collaborations with Cambodia and Thailand that will advance the world's understanding and appreciation of Khmer art, and we look forward to embarking on this new chapter together."
Until the artworks are returned, 10 of the artworks will remain on view at the museum, though the wall texts accompanying them will note that they are in the process of being repatriated.
veryGood! (17947)
Related
- US inflation may have picked up in October after months of easing
- Outer Banks Star Madelyn Cline’s Drugstore Makeup Picks Include a $6 Lipstick
- Party at a short-term rental near Houston turns deadly overnight
- Haley to launch ad targeting Trump's handling of North Korea relationship and hostage Otto Warmbier
- Sean Diddy Combs' Lawyers File New Motion for Bail, Claiming Evidence Depicts a Consensual Relationship
- 4 rescued and 2 dead in crash of private Russian jet in Afghanistan, the Taliban say
- USPS stamp prices going up: Forever first-class stamps will cost 68 cents starting Jan. 21
- Guinea soccer team appeals to fans to ‘celebrate carefully’ following supporter deaths
- California teen pleads guilty in Florida to making hundreds of ‘swatting’ calls across the US
- Prosecutors say Kansas couple lived with dead relative for 6 years, collected over $216K in retirement benefits
Ranking
- California voters reject proposed ban on forced prison labor in any form
- NFL schedule today: Everything to know about playoff games on Jan. 21
- Marlena Shaw, legendary California Soul singer, dies at 81
- Albom: Detroit Lions' playoff run becomes center stage for dueling QB revenge tour
- Sting Says Sean Diddy Combs Allegations Don't Taint His Song
- Nikki Haley goes on offense against Trump days before New Hampshire primary
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says not to assume about what the next election is going to bring
- In 'The Zone of Interest' evil lies just over the garden wall
Recommendation
-
Tony Todd, star of 'Candyman,' 'Final Destination,' dies at 69
-
Bishop Gene Robinson on why God called me out of the closet
-
Jamaica cracks down on domestic violence with new laws aimed at better protecting victims
-
Jamaica cracks down on domestic violence with new laws aimed at better protecting victims
-
Human head washes ashore on Florida beach, police investigating: reports
-
Former players explain greatness Tara VanDerveer, college basketball's winningest coach
-
11-month-old baby boy burned to death from steam of radiator in Brooklyn apartment: NYPD
-
If you donate DNA, what should scientists give in return? A 'pathbreaking' new model