Ancient sculpture put up for auction in UK to be returned to Iraq

Archaelogists say the Sumerian plaque dating from around 2400BC may have been looted

An ancient sculpture is to be returned to Iraq after it was secretly smuggled out of the country and offered for sale in the UK – only to be seized by the Metropolitan police.

The previously unknown Sumerian temple plaque – dating from about 2400BC – is being repatriated with the help of the British Museum, which first tipped off the police after spotting its planned sale in 2019.

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from Culture | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2FXB3EC