US EditionErotic Roman-Era Mosaic Stolen in World War II Returns to Pompeii
METROPOLITAN CITY OF NAPLES, CAMPANIA, JUL 15 – The mosaic was returned following verification and diplomatic efforts after heirs in Germany initiated its repatriation, reflecting changing attitudes toward ownership of stolen cultural heritage.
- On Tuesday, a Roman-era mosaic panel featuring an erotic motif was returned to Pompeii following its theft during World War II by a Nazi German officer.
- The mosaic, created between the mid to late centuries B.C. and the early first century A.D., was returned to Italy after the heirs of its last German owner coordinated with Italian officials, leading to its repatriation through diplomatic efforts facilitated by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart.
- Authorities verified the mosaic's authenticity and provenance despite scarce original discovery data, and Pompeii’s park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel noted the piece helps reconstruct first-century history before Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii in A.D. 79.
- Zuchtriegel recalled the popular 'Pompeii curse' superstition, which warns that stealing artifacts incurs bad luck, and said that many people return stolen finds citing that belief and tragic consequences.
- Zuchtriegel described the return as a healing process for a long-standing wound and noted that it reflects a significant change in attitudes, where owning stolen artifacts is increasingly felt as a heavy responsibility, encouraging the restoration of cultural heritage.
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A 2,000-year-old mosaic depicting a naked couple was stolen from the ancient city of Pompeii by the German Nazis during World War II. Many decades later, the artwork has now found a home, writes The Guardian.
·Stockholm, Sweden
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The artwork was returned by the heirs of its last owner, a German. They contacted the Italian police unit.
·Netherlands
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Total News Sources46
Leaning Left15Leaning Right6Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 41%
C 43%
R 16%
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