46 Artifacts Returned to the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari

Return of 46 artifacts to the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari

On 15 April 2026, in the Sala Leone of Palazzo Arnone in Cosenza, the Carabinieri's Cultural Heritage Protection Unit formally delivered a group of 46 artifacts to the director of the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari. The objects were recovered during investigations carried out in Italy and France.

The inquiry, coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Crotone under the operation known as ACHEI, reconstructed a network of illegal excavations and trafficking channels. Major investigative activity took place between 2017 and 2018, with subsequent developments leading to seizures and repatriations.

Key facts and destination

• Number of artifacts: 46
• Date of handover: 15 April 2026
• Ceremony location: Sala Leone, Palazzo Arnone, Via Carlo d'Aquino 26, Cosenza
• Notable pieces: a rhyton shaped like a deer's head and a ceramic fragment attributed to an Attic painter from the late 6th century BC
• Legal measures: precautionary measures against 23 people and multiple searches

Next steps at the Archaeological Parks

The artifacts are now under the care of the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari and will undergo scientific analyses and conservation treatments. The institutions will also plan initiatives for public access and enhancement, such as temporary exhibitions or guided routes.

For details about exhibitions or guided visits related to these objects, please contact the office of the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari.

Ceremony address: Via Carlo d'Aquino 26, 87100 Cosenza (CS), Italy.