Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian Ministry of Defense: 37 Ukrainian drones destroyed in 4 hours over regions of Russia and the Black Sea.
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.

US returns looted antiquity to Palestine for first time ever

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Jan 2023 20:02
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

For the first time ever, the United States returns looted antiquity to Palestine, a "cosmetic spoon" that is almost 3,000 years old.

  • x
  • An ivory cosmetic spoon, dating back to approximately 800-700 B.C.E, was repatriated to the Palestinian Authority by US officials. (Manhattan District Attorney's office)
    An ivory cosmetic spoon, dating back to approximately 800-700 B.C.E, was repatriated to the Palestinian Authority by US officials. (Manhattan District Attorney's office)

US officials repatriated a 2,700-year-old ivory object to the Palestinian Authority on Thursday after it was likely stolen from Al-Khalil, in the occupied West Bank. 

The artifact was seized after a multinational criminal investigation by the Manhattan DA office into Michael Steinhardt, one of the world's finest collectors of ancient art.

Read more: Stolen artifacts repatriated to Italy from New York

The object, described as a "cosmetic spoon," was used to ladle incense onto fires and braziers at rites honoring the gods and the dead.

Related News

Fed Governor Cook says she won't resign after Trump fired her

Syria welcomes US decision to lift sanctions, hosts US delegation

It dates to between 800 B.C. and 700 B.C. and is believed to be from the vast Assyrian civilization.

Steinhardt bought this cosmetic spoon in 2003 from Israeli antiquities dealer Gil Chaya who has been accused of selling hundreds of illicit items, according to The New York Times. The spoon’s seizure is part of an investigation into stolen antiquities valued at $70 million.

This comes after a years-long investigation into Steinhardt, who avoided charges after he surrendered 180 artifacts, worth an estimated $70 million, and agreed to what officials called an "unprecedented" lifetime ban on acquiring antiquities. 

This was the first time a cultural object has been repatriated to Palestine from the United States, a press release from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. said.

“This artifact is important as it acquires its real scientific and archaeological value in its authentic location,” Rula Maayah, the Palestinian minister of tourism and antiquities, said during a ceremony at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Bethlehem this week.

The repatriation is "a historic moment between the American and Palestinian people and a demonstration of our belief in the power of cultural exchanges in building mutual understanding, respect, and partnership," George Noll, Chief of the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs said.

  • Palestine
  • Michael Steinhardt
  • United States
  • Manhattan

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Almost instantly after the Helsinki Accords were signed, organisations sprouted to document purported violations, whose findings were fed to overseas embassies for international amplification. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

How ‘Human Rights’ became a Western weapon

  • Opinion
  • 23 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025
Launch of a ballistic missile from Yemen toward the occupied Palestinian territories. (YAF military media)

Yemeni Forces announce firing hypersonic missile at Al-Lydd Airport

  • Politics
  • 22 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS