25.05.2026 12:11
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that the 13th missing piece of the Gypsy Girl mosaic, which was smuggled abroad from the ancient city of Zeugma, has been returned from the USA and brought to Turkey. As a result of scientific and diplomatic efforts, the piece was delivered to the Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and will be exhibited at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in the future.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that another missing piece of the "Gypsy Girl" mosaic, the symbol of Gaziantep's pride Zeugma, has been brought to Türkiye from the USA.
In a statement on his social media accounts, Minister Ersoy said, "Following the 12 panels we previously secured for repatriation, the 13th piece of the great composition has returned to its homeland through scientific studies and diplomatic efforts. The panel, which bears significant similarities in style and composition to the artifacts in the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, was delivered to our country after the conducted work."
Stating that they will continue to trace cultural assets wherever they are in the world and protect the legacy of civilization, Ersoy thanked the teams of the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations unit, the Chicago Consulate General, national and international scientists, Turkish Airlines, Turkish Cargo, and everyone who contributed to this process.
UNEARTHED 28 YEARS AGO
According to the statement from the ministry, it was determined that a piece of the "Gypsy Girl" mosaic panel, which is among the symbols of Gaziantep and has stood out for years as one of Zeugma's most striking artifacts, was located in the USA.
Following the 12 panels previously brought to Türkiye, another missing piece of the great composition has been reclaimed for cultural heritage. While the repatriation of the mosaic panel to Türkiye was secured, the artifact was restored to its original geography after scientific and diplomatic efforts conducted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The large floor mosaic, measuring approximately 9.25 x 13.50 meters, was unearthed during rescue excavations carried out in 1998 at the Ancient City of Zeugma in Gaziantep's Nizip district.
MONITORED THROUGH INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS
The depiction of a Maenad head, known to the public as the "Gypsy Girl" and associated with the Dionysian cult, was also part of this large composition.
Information that the mosaic piece was offered for sale at an online auction house was conveyed to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism through Zeugma Excavation Director Prof. Dr. Kutalmış Görkay.
As part of research conducted by Dr. Djamila Fellague from Grenoble Alpes University, it was assessed that the artifact might belong to the large composition.
In examinations carried out by ministry experts, it was determined that the panel bore significant similarities to the large composition to which the "Gypsy Girl" mosaic belongs, in terms of used tessera colors, geometric border arrangement, composition features, and cutting and removal marks.
Upon this determination, ministry officials contacted the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations unit and presented the evidence obtained through scientific data. Citing the bilateral agreement in effect between the two countries, the ministry requested the seizure of the artifact.
Among the data presented, the fact that Zeugma had previously been subjected to illegal excavations formed the basis of the criminological evidence. Additionally, the existence of the other 12 pieces, secured for repatriation from Bowling Green University in the USA in 2018, legally favored Türkiye in the return of this artifact.
PANEL DELIVERED TO THE MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS
Upon the completion of the investigation by the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations unit, the mosaic panel was delivered to the Chicago Consulate General and brought home via Turkish Cargo.
As in previous efforts, the repatriation of this artifact was achieved through international cooperation without expending public funds.
After scientific evaluations, the artifact brought to Türkiye was delivered to the Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilizations as part of the process.
Following the procedures to be carried out, the panel will be reunited with its original piece at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep, where the "Gypsy Girl" mosaic is displayed.