Connect with us

Regional News

US Returns Rare Artifacts Looted from Thailand

Avatar of CTN News

Published

on

 Chargé d’affaires W. Patrick Murphy presided over a handover ceremony of Archaeological Artifacts to Thailand at National Museum Bangkok

Chargé d’affaires W. Patrick Murphy presided over a handover ceremony of Archaeological Artifacts to Thailand at National Museum Bangkok

.

BANGKOK – The United States has returned 554 archaeologically significant items, most of which are from the prehistoric era, to Thailand.Mr. W. Patrick Murphy, Charge d’affaires of the US mission in Thailand, Department of Information Director-General Sek Wannamethi and Department of Fine Arts Director-General Bawonwet Rungruchi witnessed the official handover of the artifacts on Wednesday. The occasion was presided over by Culture Minister Veera Rojpojanarat.

Over 500 ancient vases, bowls, axes, and other artifacts were illegally looted from Thailand decades ago. Most of the artifacts were from Ban Chiang, a Neolithic settlement and burial site occupied from 1500 BC to 900 BC.

The returns are the result of a non-prosecution agreement between the Bowers Museum, located in Santa Ana in California, and the Los Angeles U.S. Attorney Office, stemming from federal raids in 2008. The case involved a criminal investigation led by the Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) Los Angeles and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The items consist of 222 articles of clay pottery, 197 bronze ornaments, 79 bronze tools, 35 articles of decorative beads, 11 articles of stone tools and axes, and 10 articles of sandstone molds. Most of the artifacts are prehistoric items from archaeological sites in Thailand’s Northeast. A number are prehistoric items from sites in Thailand’s Central Region.

A few other items are newer artifacts, not from the prehistoric period.Mr. Bawonwet said a portion of the collection will be put on display at Ban Chieng National Museum in Udon Thani due to interest from local residents. Another portion will be put on display at the National Museum in Pathumthani.

10345557_844134612274349_8505535859491772824_n 10644847_844134518941025_2947000425015155369_n 10731035_844134525607691_2828841003837502559_n 10801721_844134522274358_7748116086005551773_n
Continue Reading

CTN News App

CTN News App

Recent News

BUY FC 24 COINS

compras monedas fc 24

Volunteering at Soi Dog

Find a Job

Jooble jobs

Free ibomma Movies