The USA transferred 337 artifacts to Italy as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both countries 25 years ago.
The items span the period from the Villanovan culture (900–700 BC) to the Hellenistic era (323–31 BC). Among them are a marble head of Alexander the Great from the 1st century AD, found at the Roman Forum, a bronze sculpture from Herculaneum, two Egyptian basalt sculptures, bronze and terracotta artifacts from the Iron Age, a ship's rudder, and a set of Roman coins. With the assistance of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, 221 artifacts were returned, while the remaining 116 were the result of a joint effort by the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, and the District Attorney's Office. In one case, the auction house Christie’s was involved in the restitution.
