The historical treasures that were stored at an Amsterdam museum during an ownership dispute resulting from Russia’s annexation of Crimea have been safely transported to Ukraine, the museum announced on Monday. These treasures include a solid gold Scythian helmet from the 4th century B.C. and a golden neck ornament from the second century A.D. that weighs over a kilogram.
Els van der Plas, director of the Allard Pierson historical museum, called this a special case, saying “This was a special case, in which cultural heritage became a victim of geopolitical developments.” The museum originally displayed 300 artifacts from four museums in Crimea in an exhibition that opened a month before the Russian annexation in 2014.
After a legal dispute between the Ukrainian government in Kyiv and the four Crimean museums that had loaned the artifacts to the Allard Pierson, the Dutch Supreme Court ultimately ruled in June that the museum must return the treasures to Ukraine. The Court stated that the lack of national recognition for the Russia-annexed Autonomous Republic of Crimea was a factor in their decision.
Ms. Van der Plas expressed her satisfaction with the ruling, saying “We are pleased that clarity has emerged and that they have now been returned.” However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov maintained Russia’s view that the trove should be returned to Crimea, stating “It belongs to Crimea and it should be there.”