Jordan handed over nearly 2,500 stolen ancient artifacts to Iraq in a ceremony in Amman on Sunday.
The repatriation is latest step in recovering about 15,000 priceless artifacts that were smuggled out of the country by looters during the chaos following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and have been turning up at art auctions around the world. Many were taken from the national museum in Baghdad, and thousands more were looted from archeolgoical sites.
At the ceremony, Maha Khatib, Jordan's minister of tourism, presented the pieces to her Iraqi counterpart, Mohammed Abbas Oreibi. Oreibi told reporters that the pieces will be packed and sent to Iraq this week. He added that improved security in Iraq will allow its authorities to better protect its heritage.
Samples of silver coins, necklaces, scrolls and ceramic pots were on display for reporters.
The most prized item was an ivory relief from the national museum that dates to the first millennium and came from the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrod.
Earlier this month, a set of ancient agate and alabaster seals found in Philadelphia were returned to Iraq, and Syria returned more than 700 pieces discovered by its authorities.
With files from the Associated Press
