Princeton relinquishes Italian antiquities

ROME, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Princeton University signed an agreement with Italy Tuesday to return several looted artifacts, continuing a recent trend among major museums.

Under the agreement, Princeton will turn over four Etruscan drinking cups or jugs within 60 days and then relinquish four more pieces -- including two vases done by Greek masters -- in 2011, ANSA reported. In exchange, Italy will loan Princeton artworks of equal value, and provide greater cooperation on exhibits and archaeological digs, the Italian news agency said.

However, Princeton will not return seven other disputed works to Italy, ANSA reported.

Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli called the agreement "a precious piece in the jigsaw of cultural diplomacy." Previously, Italy has struck deals to return looted antiquities with the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the John Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

Italian prosecutors, for the first time, also are pursuing criminal charges in an effort to end illegal sales of antiquities. Former Getty curator Marion True and American antiquities dealer Robert Hecht have denied charges they knowingly acquired smuggled artifacts, ANSA said.