199: Iraq gets national treasures back

In the immediate aftermath of the 2003 collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime, pretty much anything of value in Baghdad was looted it seems. Sadly, this included many historical artifacts from Iraq's National Museum. Indeed, museum administrators believe somewhere between 3000 to 7000 of these remain outstanding, leaving huge gaps in the national collection. However, according to today's linked article from Associated Press, the museum received a boost recently, when Syrian authorities returned 701 artifacts, which they had seized from traffickers. They included gold necklaces, daggers, clay statues and pots, some of which hailed from the Bronze Age and early Islamic era. Iraqi officials are hoping that the moves taken by Syria will inspire other nations - Iraq's neighbours and those further afield - to return looted antiquities. Documenting the nation's past is, after all, critical to rebuilding it for the future. (Photo from AP.)