Cyprus Recovers Looted Artifacts from 1970s War

Cyprus has received a collection of valuable artifacts that were looted following a war that led to the island's division in 1974. This retrieval is part of ongoing efforts to trace and recover thousands of archaeological pieces from various locations around the world. Authorities state that thousands of artifacts were stolen and sold globally after a Turkish invasion followed a brief coup instigated by a coup in Greece. Today, Monday, the authorities officially received 60 artifacts, some dating back to the Copper and Bronze Ages, as well as a mural from a church. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides stated during an event held at the Cyprus Museum, located just a few meters from the ceasefire line that divides the capital Nicosia: "Hundreds of churches and archaeological sites were looted, and thousands of artifacts were exported illegally from our occupied country."