Kyiv customs officials have transferred a valuable archaeological find – an ancient Tripolye vase, dated to the 5th millennium BC, to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. This artifact was attempted to be illegally exported from Ukraine to Switzerland through an international postal shipment without the necessary permits.
This is reported by Finway
Historical Value and Expertise of the Artifact
According to experts, such a vase is characteristic of the Eneolithic period. The features of its shape and decoration allow it to be dated to the mid-5th millennium BC. This unique item enables contemporary individuals to directly connect with a history that spans over six thousand years.
“The morphology of the vessel and the characteristics of the decoration provide grounds to attribute it to the mid-5th millennium BC. This is one of those artifacts that allows us to literally touch history, which is over six thousand years old.”
While the legal proceedings were ongoing, the vase was stored at the customs office, where it was digitized for future preservation in history. Additionally, during official visits from foreign delegations, customs officials showcased the artifact as an example of Ukrainian antiquity. After all procedures were completed, the artifact was officially transferred to state ownership and added to the museum’s collection.
Other Transferred Cultural Treasures
In addition to the Tripolye vase, other archaeological items have also been transferred to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. These include authentic samples from the Pidhirtsi culture of the 5th–3rd centuries BC, the Chernyakhiv culture of the 3rd to early 5th century, as well as artifacts that were widespread in the territory of Rus in the 10th–13th centuries. All these items were also once attempted to be illegally transported to the USA.
The preservation of such cultural treasures on the territory of Ukraine is of great importance for science, culture, and the preservation of national memory, which should remain accessible not only to the present but also to future generations. For Kyiv Customs, this is a prime example of how daily work contributes to the protection of cultural heritage. The transfer of artifacts to the state part of the museum fund was carried out in accordance with the decision of the Expert and Fund Council under the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.