[CPProt.net] Treasures of Croesus Corroded

[MSN CPPnet]

Treasures of Croesus Corroded 
By Melik Evren 
Published: Thursday 26, 2005 
zaman.com <http://www.zaman.com/>  

Image:

 <http://www.zaman.com/2005/05/26/karun_b.jpg> 

The "Treasures of Croesus", which were smuggled from Turkey and brought back
as a result of a long period struggle and exhibited in Usak Archeology
Museum, have been corroded as a result of neglect. 

The neglected priceless pieces have been chemically and physically corroded
since they came to light. Confirming that the "Treasures of Croesus" have
been corroded, Usak Culture and Tourism Principal Serif Ariturk said they
need help from the Culture and Tourism Ministry for the care and restoration
of the priceless pieces. 

The Treasures of Croesus, composed by hundreds of golden coins mostly
existing in BC 7th century, belong to the Lydians, who created money and
reshaped human history. The century's richest country, Lydia and the Lydian
King Croesus fascinated all with its fortune. 

The expression "as rich as Croesus" was used so as to mention King Croesus's
wealth. The treasure removed by three illegal excavations in 1966-67 and 68
were sold to America by smugglers from Izmir and Istanbul. 

Turkey found these pieces in 1985. That 55 of the smuggled pieces were
exhibited in the US Metopolitan Museum in 1985 was a hint as to where
exactly they were hidden. 

Turkey opened an international suit against the museum 13 days before the
statute of limitations ran out to regain the pieces hidden in the storage of
the same museum in 1987. Realizing that the museum would most likly lose the
suit, the museum returned the "Treasures of Croesus" to Turkey. 

The condition of the pieces exhibited in Usak Archeological Museum is at all
good. Security is insufficient and many of the pieces have been corroded due
because they have been stacked one on top of the other in the museum where
no camera has been provided. 

In total 35,573 pieces belonging to the "Treasures of Croesus" are in the
museum according to the data in 2004. Only five or 10 percent of them can be
exhibited at a time due to lack of space in the museum. 


http://www.zaman.com/?bl=culture&alt=&trh=20050526&hn=20019