It is the flooding of Zeugma by the rising
waters of the Euphrates
River that drew the
world’s attention to this once so proud city. Zeugma first reached
headlines in 1990 when the Dam of Ataturk
on this river, part of the huge GAP-project, was completed (see: Zeugma, Border-Town along the Euphrates River).
This time, the news comes from another side,
the Bowling Green State University
in Ohio , U.S.A. , who possessed twelve
mosaics from ancient Zeugma. The pieces are said to be
looted from the site nearly fifty years ago during illegal excavations. It
turns out that these sections belong to the well-known mosaic of the so-called
Gipsy Girl.
[Gipsy-Girl Picture from Hurriyet Daily News]
With the customary flattering words and
adequate apologies and reverence, the return agreement has been signed and the mosaics
have been handed over to Turkey . They will, no doubt, join the magnificent collection at the Museum of Gaziantep.
It always is very satisfactory to witness how widespread bits and pieces of archaeological finds are being reunited,
especially when they return to their place of origin.
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