❗️US repatriates 36 stolen antiquities to Syria worth over $5 million

US officials announced on Wednesday the repatriation of 36 stolen antiquities to Syria, including a stone that was trafficked after ISIS destroyed parts of the ancient city of Palmyra.

The items, which have a combined value of more than $5 million, were seized from New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and a number of private collectors of ancient art.

“Repatriation ceremonies are a powerful reminder that preserving cultural heritage transcends any border or nationality,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

According to a press release, the Palmyran stone was taken from the UNESCO World Heritage site before ISIS destroyed large parts of the city between 2015 and 2017.