London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Rare Sumerian plaque to return to Iraq with help of British Museum

Rare Sumerian plaque to return to Iraq with help of British Museum

A 4000-year-old limestone sculpture is to go on temporary display before returning to Iraq.

The British Museum and the Art and Antiques Unit of the Metropolitan Police Service worked together to identify the limestone wall plaque after it was planned to have been offered for auction at Timeline Auctions in May 2019.

The Metropolitan Police Service (Art and Antiques Unit) were alerted about the sale and experts from the British Museum were able to identify it as originating from an ancient Sumerian temple from around 2400 BC.

Following further enquiries, the plaque was disclaimed by its consigner. The museum said the item had been illegally removed from Iraq.

Temple plaques such as this are rare and there are only around 50 examples known in existence.

Traces of burning are a feature found on some previously excavated at the site of Tello/Girsu, where the British Museum’s DCMS funded Iraq Scheme has been carrying out archaeological training and excavations, and it is possible that it comes from there.

This site was extensively excavated and looted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and looted again in the 1990s during the Gulf War, and most recently in 2003 during the Iraq War.

Following a brief public display in London it will be repatriated to Iraq.

Cultural heritage


The museum described this piece as an “exciting and important new discovery”.

Hartwig Fischer, director of the British Museum said: “The British Museum is absolutely committed to the fight against illicit trade and damage to cultural heritage. I am delighted that we are able to assist in the return of this important object to Iraq, via the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in London.

“This case is another good example of the benefits of all parties working together – in this case museums, government departments, and the Met Police – to combat looting and protect cultural heritage”.

DI Jim Wingrave, central specialist crime at the Metropolitan Police Service said: “We know that its country of origin has been extensively looted over many years, especially during times of conflict. In order for buyers to be sure that they are not acquiring illicit material and fuelling the trade in stolen antiquities they should conduct a thorough due diligence process before every purchase.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×