France returns Italian pottery
Italy’s Culture Ministry said Friday that France has handed over 50 pieces of pottery dating to as far as the 4th century BC that were looted from southern Italy.
The earthenware includes Greek-style vases, wine cups and plates. They were seized in 2000 by French customs police from an Italian trying to cross the Spanish border with the treasures hidden in his car.
French Budget Minister Eric Woerth handed over the artifacts to Italian authorities in Paris. The artifacts are believed to have been secretly excavated in the southern Puglia region and are likely to go to museums there.
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