London’s VandA to care for ancient objects from Yemen before repatriatio

 

             "A London shop"           

Adauris, 'London’s VandA to care for ancient objects from Yemen before repatriation' Blooloop Sep 12, 2023

London's Victoria and Albert Museum has announced an agreement with Yemen to research and look after four ancient objects before they can be returned to the country. They will be returned to their country of origin when Yemen says it is safe enough.

The four ancient carved funerary stones, which date from the second half of the first millennium BC, were found by the Metropolitan Police in a shop in east London. The objects come from necropoli, or cemeteries, that have been looted in recent years. Commander Stephen Clayman of the Metropolitan Police said:

“The art and antiques unit seized these four stelae from a shop in London following information received from a concerned member of the public. The police investigation established that they are ancient archaeological artefacts from Yemen, and came from necropoli that have been subjected to looting in recent years. When the seller was given this information they made the generous decision to disclaim them, and asked for them to be returned to Yemen.”

Of course the shopkeeper was "very surprised" by the revelation.