Cypriot antiquity returned from France following international investigation

A Cypro-Archaic four-horse chariot model, dating back to approximately 600 BC, was returned to the Republic of Cyprus on June 18, 2026. The artefact was identified by officials from the Department of Antiquities on May 14, 2025, while being listed for sale in an online auction in France. Its recovery followed a year-long collaborative effort involving the Department of Antiquities, the Cyprus Police, Interpol, and the French Ministry of Culture, specifically the Archaeological Service of the Occitanie Region. The individual in possession of the item ultimately agreed to return it to its country of origin. The piece features a rectangular chariot box pulled by four horses and depicts two figures, a warrior with a shield and a charioteer, both wearing conical helmets. Such artefacts were typically used as votive offerings in sanctuaries or burial sites. The object was officially handed over to the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Paris to facilitate its repatriation.