The mosaic panel was returned to the archaeological park in Pompeii after being stolen by a German Nazi captain during World War II. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels arranged by the Italian consulate in Stuttgart. This came after the panel was returned by the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain who was stationed in Italy during World War II.
The mosaic is dated to between the middle of the last century before Christ and the first century after Christ and is considered a work of "extraordinary cultural interest", according to experts.
It was possible to trace the mosaic's origin to the area near the volcano Vesuvius.
Today's return is like healing an open wound, said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the archaeological park in Pompeii. Zuchtriegel added that the mosaic makes it possible to reconstruct the history from the first century after Christ before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in 79 after Christ.
The park's director also emphasized that the return signals an important change in mentality, as "the feeling of ownership (of stolen art) becomes a heavy burden."
He also reminded of the so-called "Pompeii curse". According to popular superstition, the person who steals objects in Pompeii is struck by bad luck or misfortune.
