Iraq Recovers 181 Smuggled Artifacts
Iraq’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday that it successfully repatriated 181 smuggled artifacts from the US and other countries. Among the recovered items are a bronze figurine and eight metal boxes containing ancient skeletons, which were smuggled from the Nimrud archaeological site in Nineveh province to Los Angeles in the 1990s.
The ministry credited the recent return of these artifacts to the efforts of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, following his visit to the US in April. This visit played a key role in securing the return of these invaluable pieces of Iraq’s cultural heritage.
In addition to the items from the US, the ministry reported the recovery of various artifacts from other countries, including Jordan, Norway, Germany, and Britain. These items span different historical periods and reflect the rich cultural legacy of Iraq.
The ministry stressed its commitment to tracking down and reclaiming smuggled Iraqi antiquities worldwide. This initiative aims to protect and preserve Iraq’s cultural heritage from further tampering or destruction.
A substantial number of Iraqi antiquities and archaeological sites were looted or damaged following the 2003 US invasion, leading to a significant loss of cultural heritage. The ministry’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to restore and safeguard Iraq’s historical artifacts.
