SafariSpinSafari|Iraq retrieves 181 smuggled antiquities

Photo taken on July 8, 2024 shows a recovered artifact on display at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, IraqSafariSpinSafari. Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artifacts from the United States and other countries. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

BAGHDAD, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artifacts from the United States and other countries.

The recovered items include 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 United States in April for securing the return of these artifacts.

The ministry also announced the return of many artifacts of different eras, which had been smuggled to countries such as Jordan, Norway, Germany, and Britain.

The ministry emphasized 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.■

People view recovered artifacts on display at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, Iraq, on July 8, 2024. Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artifacts from the United States and other countries. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Photo taken on July 8, 2024 shows recovered artifacts on display at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artifacts from the United States and other countries. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Photo taken on July 8, 2024 shows a recovered artifact on display at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artifacts from the United States and other countries. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Photo taken on July 8, 2024 shows a recovered artifact on display at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artifacts from the United States and other countries. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Photo taken on July 8, 2024 shows a recovered artifact on display at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artifacts from the United States and other countries. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

Photo taken on July 8, 2024 shows recovered artifacts on display at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artifacts from the United States and other countries. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)