They Were Caught Trying to Sell a Medieval Mummy in Niğde

The Niğde Provincial Gendarmerie Command teams apprehended 6 individuals red-handed who were attempting to sell a human mummy, believed to be from the Middle Ages, in a successful operation. During the raid in the Bor district, the mummy seized at the residence of a person named H.G. was found in a preserved state of bodily integrity. This event is considered an important step in preserving Niğde’s historical wealth.

As a result of the investigation conducted within the scope of combating cultural and natural asset smuggling, it was determined that 6 suspects were trying to sell a male mummy from the Middle Ages. Gendarmerie teams detained the suspects by raiding the residence of H.G. after meticulous work. The seized mummy was handed over to the Niğde Museum Directorate officials.

Statement from the Niğde Governorship

The Niğde Governorship, in a written statement regarding the operation, thanked the gendarmerie organization and stated, “We thank our gendarmerie organization for their dedicated efforts to protect our country’s cultural heritage, and we congratulate them for their successful operations. We emphasize once again that we will continue to resolutely protect our cultural heritage.”

The fact that the seized mummy belongs to the Middle Ages and its bodily integrity is preserved is of great historical and archaeological importance. Detailed examination of the mummy can provide important information about the living conditions, medical practices, and cultural beliefs of that era.

Emphasis on the Fight Against Smuggling

This operation once again demonstrated Türkiye’s determination in the fight against historical artifact smuggling. Officials stated that efforts to protect cultural heritage will continue uninterrupted.