[CPProt.net] Iran seeks return of artifacts from Chicago's Oriental Institute

[Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton Cremers)]

Iran seeks return of artifacts from Chicago's Oriental Institute 

TEHRAN, May 25 (MNA) -- Iran has renewed efforts to recover historical
artifacts which were discovered in the Choghamish region of Khuzestan in
1963 and entrusted to the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago
but never returned to the country. 

According to a report issued by the International Department of Iran's
Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (CHTO) on Wednesday, Iranian and
American archaeologists unearthed the region in a joint excavation project
in 1963. 

The head of the American team had asked for additional studies on the items.
The request was approved by Iran's cabinet, and the artifacts were sent to
the institute for three years of study.

Some of the items were sent back after three years, but the rest are still
in the United States, although the institute was supposed to return all the
artifacts.

The CHTO has recently prepared an appeal to present to the International
Court of Justice in The Hague for the return of the artifacts.

In addition, the National Museum of Iran has announced that it suffered a
loss of $377,125 due to the 39-year delay in delivering the items. 

Iran also recently sent an a appeal to a Belgian court asking for the return
of nine boxes of smuggled ancient artifacts and a 2800-year-old pin stolen
from the exposition "7000 Years of Persian Art".

Iranian officials recently resumed efforts to recover artifacts taken out of
the country which have not been returned.

RM/HG