Ancient Trypillian Vase Handed Over to Museum After Attempted Smuggling to Switzerland

A unique Trypillian vase and other ancient artifacts, once targeted for illegal export, have joined the National Museum of History of Ukraine, preserving the country’s cultural heritage.

Kyiv customs officials have handed over a unique archaeological artifact — an ancient Trypillian vase — to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. The vase had been attempted to be smuggled from Ukraine to Switzerland in an international postal shipment without the necessary permits, according to lb.ua.

Experts have determined that such items are characteristic of the Eneolithic period. The vessel’s morphology and decorative features indicate it dates to the middle of the 5th millennium BC. This is one of those artifacts that allows one to literally touch a history over six thousand years old.

While the vase awaited a court decision and was kept at customs, Kyiv Customs digitized it for historical records. The artifact was also displayed to visiting foreign delegations as an example of Ukraine’s ancient past. After all procedures were completed, the cultural item became state property and joined the museum’s collection.

Along with the Trypillian vase, other archaeological items have been handed over to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. These include authentic specimens of the Podgirtsi culture from the 5th–3rd centuries BC, the Chernyakhiv culture from the 3rd to early 5th centuries AD, as well as artifacts common in the territory of Rus’ during the 10th–13th centuries. At one time, attempts were made to send them to the United States.

“Keeping such items in Ukraine contributes to science, culture, and the memory of our past, which must remain accessible to current and future generations. For Kyiv Customs, this is an example of how routine work helps preserve artifacts of national significance,” the statement reads.

It is noted that the transfer of cultural valuables to the state portion of Ukraine’s museum collection is carried out by decision of the Expert and Collection Council at the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.