Investigators say they have figured out how bronze statues from a shrine built 2,000 years ago in Asia Minor to venerate the emperors of Rome ended up in museums around the world.
Shelby White has given the museum generous gifts and 33 years of service as a trustee. But investigators recently seized many of her ancient artifacts, including 17 that were on loan to the Met.
As the object, a carved spoon, was handed back at a ceremony in Bethlehem, officials said it was the first time the United States had repatriated an antiquity to the Palestinian government.
Prodded by law enforcement, and pushed by foreign governments, American museums are increasingly returning artifacts to countries of origin, but critics wonder at what cost.
The investigators say Georges Lotfi invited them to his storage space because he did not think they would suspect that the antiquities he kept there were stolen, an accusation he denies.