Stolen Ancient and Saddam Hussein-Era Artefacts Returned to Iraq

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials returned 60 Iraqi cultural items to the Iraqi government on Monday, March 16.

The items had been smuggled to the United States but seized during investigations in New York, Baltimore, Austin and New Haven. The most significant object among the collection is a limestone fragmentary head of the Assyrian winged bull, also known as Lamassu. According to US authorities, it originates from the palace of Sargon II, an Assyrian king who reigned around 720 BC. Credit: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement