ROME — A significant collection of ancient artefacts looted from Iraq was officially returned during a ceremony at the Iraqi embassy in Rome on Wednesday.
The display included several priceless items dating back to the Mesopotamian civilisation, including vases, pottery fragments, and terracotta cones bearing royal inscriptions from King Gudea of Lagash, who ruled from 2,200 BC to 2,150 BC.
The artefacts, which had been smuggled out of Iraq decades ago, were recovered thanks to the efforts of Italian authorities.
The event was attended by Saywan Sabir Mustafa Barzani, Iraq’s Ambassador to Italy, along with Michele Minetti, the head of the Italian Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Property, and a representative from the Italian police.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Barzani expressed heartfelt gratitude to Italy’s Antiquities and Heritage Protection Unit for their diligent work in returning these important cultural relics to Iraq.
He highlighted the strong collaboration between Iraq and Italy, particularly in the realm of heritage and antiquities protection.
“These objects are of immense historical value, and their return marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to recover Iraq’s stolen cultural treasures,” Barzani said.
The artefacts in question, some of which were reportedly offered for sale, were identified as items of cultural and historical significance from the ancient Mesopotamian civilisation.
The terracotta cones with inscriptions commemorate King Gudea’s construction of temple buildings in the region of Lagash, a city in ancient Sumer.
The recovery of these pieces is part of a broader, ongoing initiative by Iraqi authorities to track down and return thousands of artefacts looted from the country, especially during periods of conflict.
Most of the stolen items were taken in the aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion, when many of Iraq’s archaeological sites were left unprotected amid the chaos.
Smuggling operations dating back to the 1990s also contributed to the loss of Iraq’s invaluable heritage, which was further exacerbated by widespread poverty resulting from international sanctions.
The embassy’s efforts to recover stolen relics have seen considerable success in recent years. Since 2018, Iraq has successfully retrieved numerous artefacts with the help of international partners, including Italy, the United States, and other nations.
Barzani noted that the embassy had previously received archaeological pieces on five separate occasions, with the most recent return occurring in July 2024.
In 2021, Iraqi and US authorities recovered over 17,000 ancient objects, including the renowned Gilgamesh Dream Tablet, which contains a portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the world’s oldest known literary works.
The recovery of these objects is a part of a wider global effort to combat the illegal trade of antiquities.
In a notable case in 2018, US arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby was fined $3 million after it was discovered that several illegally smuggled clay tablets had been purchased by the store’s management.
Ambassador Barzani reiterated his appreciation for Italy’s role in returning cultural heritage to Iraq. “Italy has played an essential part in safeguarding these artefacts and ensuring their return to their rightful home,” he remarked.
With ongoing international collaboration, Iraq is hopeful that more of its stolen artefacts will be recovered, further enriching the country’s rich cultural legacy.