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Tuesday, 10th March 2009 (1597 views)

The Iraq Museum has been presented with a total of 531 archaeological pieces, including gold items, which were held by senior government officials.

Surrendered to the museum in Baghdad, the treasures were returned to Iraqi minister of tourism and antiquities Qahtan al-Jibouri, Azzaman reported.

Included among the artefacts are ancient gold coins, Abdulzahara al-Talaqani, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, explained.

According to Mr Talaqani, a collection of 366 numismatic coins was handed to the museum by the national security minister Shirwan al-Waili.

The items appear to have been passed to Iraqi senior government officials by ordinary citizens and are reported to be "of astounding beauty and great value".

Partially reopened last month almost six years after it was looted of many of its treasures during the 2003 conflict, the Iraqi National Museum has a number of priceless ancient gold items on display, including thousands of recovered artefacts.

 

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