Princeton ratifies pact with Italy

The Italian Culture Ministry and the Princeton University Art Museum signed a deal Tuesday for the return of eight disputed antiquities to Italy -- Rome’s latest coup in its efforts to recover treasures it says were looted from the country.

Under the deal, the New Jersey museum will transfer legal title to Italy of eight ancient artifacts, including pottery and sculpture from the Greek and Etruscan cultures, the ministry said.

Half of the objects will be handed over within the next 60 days, while the other four will remain at the museum until 2011. In exchange, Italy will loan Princeton other treasures of “equal historical-artistic interest,” the ministry’s statement said.

Princeton will keep seven other objects that had been part of the negotiations, according to the museum. The two sides will also increase cultural cooperation through joint exhibitions and archeological digs.