Iraq's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities announced on Monday the successful repatriation of 181 smuggled artifacts from the US and other countries. Among the returned 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 attributed the return of these artifacts to the efforts of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, following his visit to the US in April. This visit was instrumental in securing the return of these invaluable pieces of Iraq’s cultural heritage.

In addition to the items recovered from the US, the ministry reported the return of various artifacts from countries including Jordan, Norway, Germany, and Britain. These items span different historical periods and reflect the rich cultural legacy of Iraq.

The ministry emphasized 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.