- 3800 artifacts returned, including cuneiform tablets
- Significance spans Ur III to Old Babylonian periods
- U.S. Customs' vigilance uncovers smuggling
- Hobby Lobby's acquisition ethics questioned
- ICE combats illegal antiquities trade
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TranscriptIn an intricate operation that underscores the global effort to preserve cultural heritage, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has successfully repatriated three thousand eight hundred ancient artifacts to their rightful home—the Republic of Iraq. These artifacts, which include cuneiform tablets, cylinder seals, and clay bullae, were smuggled into the United States in violation of federal law before being acquired by Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.
The significance of these artifacts cannot be overstated. Originating from the ancient city of Irisagrig, these pieces date back to the Ur III and Old Babylonian periods, spanning twenty-one hundred to sixteen hundred before the common era. This collection is a tangible connection to an era replete with legal, administrative, and religious texts. Among them are legal and administrative documents, Early Dynastic incantations, and a bilingual religious text from the Neo-Babylonian period. Notably, two clay cones bear royal inscriptions from the Early Dynastic Lagash II periods—in the mid-third millennium before the common era. Additionally, the clay bullae are believed to be from the Parthian or Sasanian dates, marking the late second century before the common era to the early seventh century.
The interception of these artifacts highlights the vigilance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Disguised as tile samples on shipping labels, these priceless items were seized and the true nature of their identity revealed. This act of preservation was further emphasized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Assistant Commissioner Ian Saunders, who recognized the importance of safeguarding such a precious link to human history for future generations.
The investigation, led by Special Agents from ICE Homeland Security Investigations and Assistant U.S. Attorneys at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, revealed a calculated attempt by Hobby Lobby employees to bypass customs brokers and conceal the artifacts’ true nature, thus unraveling a narrative of deliberate avoidance and raising questions about the ethics of artifact acquisition.
ICE Acting Director Thomas D. Homan expressed honor in returning these cultural artifacts to Iraq and emphasized the collaborative efforts of various agencies to combat the looting of antiquities. Meanwhile, Ambassador of Iraq to the United States Fareed Yasseen stressed that these pieces are vital to Iraq's heritage and must be restored to their rightful owner.
This repatriation to Iraq is part of a broader initiative by ICE to combat the illegal trade of cultural properties. Since two thousand seven, ICE has returned over eight thousand artifacts to more than thirty countries, highlighting a commitment to protecting the past from the illicit black market.
Through this collaborative and meticulous effort, the returned artifacts serve as a reminder that the past is not a commodity to be bought and sold, but a legacy to be preserved and protected. The public plays a crucial role in this endeavor, urged to report suspected stolen cultural property to the authorities, helping to ensure that history remains within reach and heritage is safeguarded for all.
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