Cultural Heritage Cooperation Develops Between Turkey and Denmark
The process initiated with the return of artifacts originating from the ancient city of Boubon to Turkey has evolved into a permanent museology partnership covering joint exhibitions and expert exchanges between the two countries.
Within the scope of Turkey's efforts for the return of cultural assets, the repatriation of the Septimius Severus bronze head of Boubon origin and 48 Düver plaques to Turkey has transformed into a long-term international cooperation involving joint exhibitions, scientific research, and expert exchanges with Denmark.
Success Story Shared at International Meeting
The process of cultural property restitution and subsequent cooperation between Turkey and Denmark was presented to the international public at a Regional Dialogue meeting held in Geneva in partnership with UNESCO.
Hosted by the Swiss Confederation, the gathering discussed how restitution processes transform into permanent partnerships.
Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and managers of the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum in Copenhagen delivered a joint presentation, sharing the stages of museum cooperation between the two countries with the participants.
Ancient City of Boubon and History of Illicit Excavations
Located in the Gölhisar district of Burdur, the ancient city of Boubon was subjected to intense illegal excavations in the 1960s, and numerous bronze statues in the imperial cult area were smashed and smuggled abroad.
The bronze head belonging to Roman Emperor Septimius Severus was among the artifacts smuggled during this process.
While the head portion of the statue entered the Glyptotek collection in 1970 through an art dealer, the body portion remained in the United States for many years before being returned to Turkey in 2023.
Prof. Dr. Jale İnan's Scientific Studies
Turkey's first female archaeologist, Prof. Dr. Jale İnan, laid the foundation for identifying pieces scattered across different countries through her meticulous scientific research on Boubon starting from the 1970s.
In 1979, İnan personally brought the head and body parts side by side at the Glyptotek, proving that the two elements belonged to the same statue.
This scientific infrastructure constituted one of the strongest pillars of the official repatriation initiatives carried out in later years, and a critical threshold was crossed toward reuniting the artifacts.
Repatriation Process and the Exhibition in Denmark
As a result of the official initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2023 and the evidence presented, the Glyptotek management maintained a transparent dialogue.
Upon the definitive confirmation of the artifact's Boubon origin, the head and 48 terracotta architectural plaques originating from Düver, Burdur, were returned to Turkey.
Before the artifacts were transported, they were introduced to the public through a special exhibition in Denmark, strengthening the cultural dialogue between the two countries and leaving the legal process to a lasting friendship.
New Projects in Culture and Museology
Following the repatriation process, Danish experts visited archaeological sites and museums in Turkey under a work program initiated in March 2025.
Bonds between the institutions of the two countries were institutionalized with the support of institutions affiliated with the Danish Ministry of Culture.
Sandaled statue parts belonging to Septimius Severus in the collection of the Burdur Archaeology Museum were delivered to Denmark to be featured in the exhibition in Copenhagen, officially cementing the joint scientific production process.
Future Plans and Joint Exhibitions
The cultural bridge between Turkey and Denmark will expand in the coming years through joint exhibitions and research.
The Sagalassos exhibition, which the Glyptotek plans to open in 2027, is being prepared with the joint contributions of Turkish, Belgian, and Danish archaeologists.
While aiming to transform field studies to be conducted on the ancient city of Boubon in Turkey into international exhibitions, contacts regarding expert exchange and conservation projects also continue.