“Even taking a potsherd is punishable here”: why does Turkey guard so closely over cultural heritage?

Kim (28) from Antwerp will probably not be allowed to leave Turkey for months because of three ‘stolen’ stones of archaeological value. Why is Turkey so strict about cultural heritage? And what are the chances that you will randomly pick up something valuable? Archeology professor Peter Talloen (KU Leuven) explains. “As a researcher, I am also not allowed to take anything with me to Belgium to analyze it.”

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