Australia returns 12,000-year-old artifact to Jordan
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi accepted a Jordanian archaeological artifact from Australia during a ceremony at the National Gallery of Australia, while King Abdullah visited the country.
The artifact originated from Wadi Al-Hammah, in the Pella area of Jordan, and dates back to approximately 12,000 BC. Australian and Jordanian teams first discovered the piece in 1983 during joint excavations led by the University of Sydney and Worcester College.
The artifact is part of an engraved stone architectural panel made of claystone, and one of three pieces that together form what experts believe is the world’s oldest large-scale sculpture. Jordan already holds the other two components in museums in Amman and Irbid. Australian officials, including Special Envoy for the Arts Susan Templeman, participated in the handover, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between Jordan and Australia in preserving cultural heritage.
