Iraq’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities had announced on Monday that the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artefacts from the U.S. and other countries.
The recovered items included a bronze figurine and eight metal boxes containing ancient skeletons, the ministry said in a statement.
These artifacts were originally smuggled from the Nimrud archaeological site in Nineveh province to Los Angeles in the 1990s.
The ministry highlighted the role played by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s visit to the U.S. in April for securing the return of these artefacts.
The ministry also announced the return of many artefacts of different eras, which had been smuggled to countries such as Jordan, Norway, Germany, and Britain.
The ministry emphasised its commitment to tracking down and reclaiming smuggled Iraqi antiquities scattered across the globe.
These efforts aim to preserve this cultural heritage and prevent further tampering or vandalism.
A significant number of Iraqi antiquities and archaeological sites were looted or destroyed following the 2003 U.S. invasion. (Xinhua/NAN).
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