Met Museum Returns Three Looted Iraqi Artifacts After Investigation

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has returned three ancient Mesopotamian artifacts to Iraq following a criminal investigation into art trafficking linked to the late British antiquities dealer Robin Symes. The items—a Sumerian gypsum alabaster vessel dating from around 2600-2500 BCE and two Babylonian ceramic sculptures of a male and female head from approximately 2000-1600 BCE—were part of a larger seizure involving 135 looted antiquities valued at over $58 million. New evidence uncovered during the investigation clarified the illicit provenance of these artifacts, which are believed to have originated from archaeological sites in Iraq such as Isin and Ur. The return was conducted in a formal ceremony attended by Iraqi officials, representatives from the Met, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who emphasized the importance of undoing damage caused by traffickers to global cultural heritage. This repatriation is part of the Met's Cultural Property Initiative, which promotes provenance research and transparency in museum collections. Iraqi officials expressed appreciation for the cooperation between the museum and American institutions in recovering their looted heritage.