Italy, Princeton resolve dispute

Italy and the Princeton University Art Museum have reached a deal to return some artifacts Rome says were smuggled out of the country, the latest chapter in Italy’s campaign to crack down on the illegal antiquities market.

Authorities from the museum and the Italian Culture Ministry will sign an agreement Tuesday resolving ownership of 15 disputed artifacts in Princeton’s collection, the museum said in a statement Friday.

Under the agreement, Princeton will keep seven objects and transfer legal title to eight. Four of the eight will be returned to Italy, while the other four will remain at the museum in New Jersey on loan for four years, the statement said.

In exchange, Italy will lend Princeton “a number of additional works of art of great significance and cultural importance,” the statement said. Princeton students will also be given access to Italian excavation sites.