Iraq has recovered more than 40,000 stolen ancient artefacts since 2003, many of which had been smuggled abroad, including to the United States and the United Kingdom, a representative of the Ministry of Culture said on Tuesday.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Ahmed al Alyawi, said Iraqi embassies are actively pursuing smuggled artefacts, particularly those stolen from archaeological sites by organised looting networks.
“Our ministry has a dedicated department that monitors these networks and traces the locations of smuggled items through effective international cooperation”, he added.
Among the recovered treasures, the recent return of a more than 4,500-year-old ibex statue drew particular attention. Other notable artefacts include the Tablet of Gilgamesh and the Sumerian Ram in a Thicket.
“This success highlights the organised work of our teams and we continue our efforts to restore the country’s cultural heritage”, Al Alyawi said.
The looting of Iraq’s cultural heritage intensified after the US-led war in 2003, when thousands of artefacts disappeared from the National Museum in Baghdad and other heritage sites. Many pieces were later destroyed during the rise of the so-called Islamic State from 2014 onwards.
Despite these challenges, Iraqi authorities continue their recovery efforts, seeking to protect and preserve the nation’s rich historical legacy. — dpa
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