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KONYA, TÜRKİYE - NOV. 14, 2024: After years abroad, the Turkish historical artifact known as the "Mother Goddess" has been repatriated from the United States, marking a significant return of cultural heritage. The Mother Goddess figure unearthed during excavations at Catalhoyuk - an ancient site that reveals 9,000 years of history - was smuggled abroad in the 1960s. Once displayed in the U.S. as part of the Shelby White Collection, the figure has now been returned to Türkiye, thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s efforts. It is now exhibited at the Karatay Madrasa Tile Works Museum in Konya province. Speaking to reporters before the exhibition’s opening, Konya Museum Director Omer Faruk Turkan highlighted the significant cultural value of Anatolian lands. He stressed the importance of safeguarding the heritage left behind by the civilizations that once thrived in the region, stating, "Our exhibition includes a piece that was returned to Türkiye from the United States at the end of 2023. This artifact was smuggled abroad from Catalhoyuk during excavations in the late 1960s." Turkan also mentioned that, alongside the Mother Goddess figure, other artifacts recovered by the police and gendarmerie are on display at the museum. (Footage by Basir Gulum /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)