As part of cooperation in the field of cultural heritage, the Netherlands handed over to Ukraine eight valuable artifacts belonging to different eras of history, in particular, the times of the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages. These items of cultural value were intercepted by Dutch customs in March 2023 after their illegal arrival on Dutch territory.
Alfred Roos, director of the Information and Heritage Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, handed over the relevant archeology items. Among the exhibits are arrowheads and spearheads from various archaeological cultures and regions of Ukraine. They date from Roman times to the Middle Ages.
Ukrainian cultural heritage items were intercepted by Dutch customs officials after their arrival in the Netherlands in March 2023. The investigation revealed that the items were likely smuggled out.
Values have historical, scientific, ethnographic significance for the state. They plan to transfer them to the collections of state museums.
Artifacts were returned in accordance with the UNESCO Convention. The agreement provides for the prohibition and prevention of illegal import, export and transfer of relevant ownership rights to cultural values. Participants are obliged to provide assistance to each other if they discover illegally exported items. Subsequently, appropriate measures are taken to return them to their country of origin. Ukraine and the Netherlands are States Parties to the Convention.
We will remind, in February in Vienna, archaeologists found artifacts of Roman legionnaires from the period of the foundation of the city. Archaeologists have found ancient artifacts in Austria dating back to the period of the city's founding by the Romans. In addition to things from the Roman era, medieval artifacts were discovered. In its heyday, Windobona was home to about 30,000 people, including military and civilian settlers. This Roman presence lasted for about 350 years, leaving a mark on the history of Vienna.
