German government to return the ancient Hattusa sphinx unearthed in Turkey but kept in Berlin for nearly a century
Germany has decided to meet a long-standing request from Turkey that demanded German government return the ancient Hattusa sphinx unearthed in Turkey but kept in Berlin for nearly a century.
The decision came after a meeting of German and Turkish officials in Berlin on Friday.
German State Minister for Culture Bernd Neumann told reporters after the meeting that Hattusa sphinx would given back to Turkey as a “voluntary gesture” for Turkish-German friendship.
Neumann added that the solution found by parties would be a good basis to improve cultural cooperation between the two countries.
The sphinx will be taken to Turkey by late November, sources said.
The Hattusa sphinx was found by German archaeologists in the ancient city of Hattusa in central Anatolia in early 20th century. German archaeologists have been excavating the ancient site since 1906 and the Bronze Age sphinx is considered to be their biggest discovery.
The sphinx was taken to Berlin in 1915 for restoration.
In an earlier statement, Turkish Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay said that Turkey would suspend excavations carried out by German archaeologists in Hattusa unless the ancient sphinx is returned.
AA