Tags: EU | Switzerland | Turkey | Ancient Coffin

Swiss Send 2nd-century Coffin Depicting Hercules to Turkey

Swiss Send 2nd-century Coffin Depicting Hercules to Turkey

Tuesday, 12 September 2017 12:37 PM EDT

GENEVA (AP) — A Turkish consular official in Geneva says a rare, ancient sarcophagus depicting the 12 labors of Hercules is poised to be shipped home to Turkey.

The sarcophagus sat for years in Geneva's customs-office warehouse before being seized by Swiss customs officials in 2010. Ending a legal battle, the Geneva prosecutor's office in 2015 approved the restitution.

Consul Levant Ceri says the hulking relic will be driven from Geneva to Zurich for a flight Wednesday to Turkey to eventually be displayed in the Antalya Archaeological Museum.

The second-century marble coffin shows scenes like Hercules strangling the Nemean Lion and killing the Hydra. It has been traced to the ancient Roman city of Dokimeion, believed to be in today's Antalya province.

Experts believe it is one of only 12 in the world.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Europe
A Turkish consular official in Geneva says a rare, ancient sarcophagus depicting the 12 labors of Hercules is poised to be shipped home to Turkey.The sarcophagus sat for years in Geneva's customs-office warehouse before being seized by Swiss customs officials in 2010....
EU,Switzerland,Turkey,Ancient Coffin
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2017-37-12
Tuesday, 12 September 2017 12:37 PM
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