The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., has formally returned a magnificent 2nd-century Roman floor mosaic to the Republic of Tunisia. The artifact, depicting a scene of maritime abundance, was identified as having been illegally removed from the archaeological site of Carthage during the mid-20th century before entering the American art market.
Tunisian heritage officials hailed the move as a triumph for heritage law and bilateral cooperation. The mosaic will be permanently installed in the Bardo National Museum in Tunis, where it will undergo minor restoration to repair damages sustained during its decades in private and museum storage.