Dorak Affair
In 1958 Mellaart gave a report of a new rich find from Dorak to Seton Lloyd of the British Institute. He said he had found the items six years prior but had not received permission to publish his find before this. When the news appeared in The Illustrated London News, Turkish authorities demanded to know why they had not been informed and where the artifacts had been found.
Mellaart said that he had seen the treasures in the Izmir home of a young woman whom he met on a train. She did not allow him to take photographs but did let him make drawings of them. However, her name – Anna Papastrari – was unknown and her address did not exist. The only document that can be traced to her is a typed letter that after examination appears to have been done by Mellaart's wife Arlette. In consequence, Turkish officials expelled Mellaart for suspected antiquities smuggling. He was later allowed to return but later banned completely.
Read more about this topic: James Mellaart
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