Hundreds of Looted Artefacts Recovered in Sudan

Sudanese authorities are celebrating the recovery of more than 570 antiquities stolen from the National Museum during the country’s prolonged conflict.

The artefacts were displayed during a ceremony in Port Sudan, marking a major milestone in efforts to safeguard Sudan’s cultural heritage and historical identity.

Graham Abdel Qader, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Information, and Tourism and head of the National Committee for the Protection of Sudanese Culture and Antiquities, described the recovery as a “major national achievement.”

He highlighted that the artefacts span from prehistoric times to the modern era, emphasizing that their return is part of a broader national effort to preserve Sudan’s historical legacy.

Officials estimate that about 400 items remain missing, and the recovered collection represents only around 30% of the tens of thousands of artefacts either destroyed or looted for sale. Among the missing items is the famed “gold room”, which contained ancient jewellery and 24-carat gold pieces, some nearly 8,000 years old.

Sudan’s Finance Minister, Gibril Ibrahim, noted that while many may not recognize the objects’ monetary value, “they reflect the identity of the nation and its history.”

The Ministry of Information and Culture has also announced a financial reward for anyone returning looted antiquities, though the exact amount has not been disclosed.