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Italy Returns 2800-Year-Old Stone Tablet to Iraq

Feb 7, 2026 February 7, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Iraq unveiled a 2800-year-old stone tablet returned from Italy, featuring the emblem of Assyrian king Shalmaneser III. The tablet was handed over to President Abdul Latif Rashid during his recent visit to Italy. This event highlights international cooperation in preserving cultural heritage.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The return of the Assyrian tablet underscores the importance of international cooperation in preserving cultural heritage.

👥 Key Players

Abdul Latif Rashid MENTIONED
President of Iraq
"As the leader of Iraq, he plays a crucial role in promoting national heritage and international relations."
Ahmed Fakkak Al-Badrani MENTIONED
Minister of Culture of Iraq
"He is responsible for cultural preservation and highlights the importance of archaeological artifacts to Iraqi identity."
Italian Government MENTIONED
Representatives involved in the return of the tablet
"Their cooperation signifies Italy's commitment to cultural heritage and international diplomacy."

📰 What Happened

Iraq unveiled a 2800-year-old stone tablet that was returned from Italy, featuring the emblem of Assyrian king Shalmaneser III. The tablet was handed over to President Abdul Latif Rashid during his visit to Italy, emphasizing international cooperation in cultural heritage preservation.

  • The tablet is inscribed in cuneiform and dates back to the Assyrian Empire.
  • It was likely discovered during archaeological work related to the Mosul Dam.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The return of cultural artifacts can inspire similar movements in Iran, where heritage preservation is also a significant issue.
🌍 Regional: This event highlights the importance of cultural heritage in the Middle East, fostering regional cooperation.
🌐 International: It reflects broader international efforts to combat the illicit trade of cultural artifacts and promote heritage preservation.

📚 Background

Cuneiform is one of the earliest systems of writing, and artifacts like this tablet are crucial for understanding ancient civilizations. Iraq has faced significant challenges in preserving its cultural heritage due to war and looting.

Cultural heritage preservation Archaeological discoveries in Iraq
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The information is based on reports from Agence France-Presse, a reputable international news agency.

On Sunday, June 18, Iraq unveiled a 2800-year-old stone tablet that has recently been returned from Italy. This stone tablet, inscribed in cuneiform, bears the emblem of Shalmaneser III, the Assyrian king who ruled from 858 to 823 BC (approximately 2850 years ago). It is unclear how this tablet ended up in Italy, but it was handed over to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid during his visit to Bologna, Italy, last week. During the unveiling ceremony held at the Iraqi presidential palace, Rashid officially thanked Italian officials for their cooperation with the Iraqi government. Ahmed Fakkak Al-Badrani, Iraq's Minister of Culture, stated, 'This tablet was likely found during archaeological excavations or while working on the Mosul Dam, which is the largest dam built in Iraq in the 1980s.' He also emphasized the significance of this piece, saying, 'Its cuneiform text is complete.' This report is based on information from Agence France-Presse.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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