about 1045 valuable The confiscation of rare artifacts in Turkey’s province of Izmir, including what are believed to be several infamous shrinking heads called “tsanta” from the Amazon region, are now being analyzed by experts.
Artifacts were seized from a house and warehouse During a three-day operation, it was carried out out By the Smuggling and Intelligence Department of Izmir Customs teams in Aliaga district in Izmir in December last year. The items It included historical artifacts, ethnographic artifacts, oil paintings, church materials, books, icons, and artifacts from several cultures.
Among the rare artifacts, the shrunken heads called “Tsantsa” drew special attention. Once used as trophies, in ritual for trade Purposes, tsantsas are specially prepared severed human heads created by Jivaros Living in the deeps of Amazon in Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador.
Foreign artifacts are returned
Customs authorities handed over items over For the Directorate of Izmir Museum to be indexed. Experts in the directorate are still investigating the assets of many of items Once established, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism plans To return foreign artifacts to their country of the origin.
Director of Izmir Archeology Museum Cengiz Topal told Demiroren News Agency (DHA) that several reports on The items finished and progress was running made in Accurately identify the assets of all item.
“In the midst of this group These are manuscripts, paintings, and some collections of Business that we think may belong to other cultures. we want To be checked by familiar experts with they history. For example, experts came from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to research Manuscripts and church materials Tubal explained.
Some of The artifacts are believed to have originated from South America, Africa, Egypt and Tubal also She said. Studies and investigations on This business continues. After the artifacts belonging to these countries To be determined, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will contact the relevant units of The countries The artifacts will be returned to countries,” He said.
Experts have determined that 870 of Artifacts, including carpets, rugs, and important archaeological finds, are of Anatolian origin. Tubal said once in the judicial process completethese items It will be indexed and placed in Collection in Izmir Archeology Museum for visitors enjoy.
