Sudan hosts ceremony marking recovery of 570 looted antiquities

Recovered artefacts highlight efforts to reclaim cultural heritage after conflict-related looting. Sudan will hold an official ceremony in Port Sudan on Tuesday, January 13, to announce the recovery of 570 antiquities looted during the country’s ongoing conflict. Minister of Culture, Information, and Tourism Khalid Al-Eisir described the recovery as a major national achievement, reflecting Sudan’s commitment to protecting its civilisational heritage. The artefacts, spanning prehistoric periods to the modern era, were taken during the early days of fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. Over 20 museums, including the Presidential Palace Museum and University of Khartoum Natural History Museum, were looted or destroyed, with losses estimated at $110 million. Since April 2025, the Sudanese government has worked with Interpol and UNESCO to recover trafficked cultural property. UNESCO previously issued a global alert urging museums and collectors to avoid trading Sudanese cultural items. Source:Newstimehub Sudan CulturalHeritage AntiquitiesRecovered UNESCO HistoryMatters