DAMASCUS  –  Syria has received 23 archaeological artifacts that had been on loan to the Arab World Institute in Paris since 2010, in a move that reflects growing cultural cooperation with France and supports efforts to recover and preserve the country’s cultural heritage. The artifacts were flown to Damascus International Airport before being handed over to the Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM), which plans to display them in a special public exhibition. Culture Minister Mohammad Yassin Saleh told SANA that the return of the artifacts, which coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Damascus, carried cultural and political significance. Saleh said the move reflected confidence in Syria’s ability to safeguard its archaeological heritage after years of work to rehabilitate museums and strengthen security measures protecting cultural collections. The minister said the recovered collection includes artifacts dating from the 10th millennium BC through the Arab-Islamic period, highlighting the richness and diversity of Syria’s historical heritage. Director-General of Antiquities and Museums Masoud Badawi told SANA that the collection represents several of Syria’s best-known archaeological sites, including Mari, Palmyra, Ugarit and Qasr al-Hayr. The artifacts will be preserved according to international conservation standards before going on public display in a dedicated exhibition at the National Museum in Damascus, allowing visitors and researchers to view the collection.

The return of the artifacts marks another step in Syria’s efforts to restore cultural property to its national museums and strengthen international cooperation aimed at protecting and recovering the country’s archaeological heritage.