US returns looted antiquity to Palestinian Authority for first time ever
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Written by Issy Ronald, CNN For the first time ever, the United States has returned a looted antiquity to the Palestinian Authority -- an Iron Age ivory "cosmetic spoon" that is almost 3,000 years old. US and Palestinian officials attended a ceremony on Thursday marking the historic repatriation at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Bethlehem, according to statements released by the US Office of Palestinian Affairs and the official Palestinian News & Information Agency (WAFA). US and Palestinian officials met in Bethlehem Thursday for the historic repatriation. Credit: Ministry of Tourism The cosmetic spoon dates back to approximately 800-700 BCE, and was used to ladle incense onto fires as offerings to the gods or the dead, a statement from the Manhattan District Attorney's (DA) office added. Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Rula Maayah, who attended the ceremony, said in a statement that the artifact "acquires its real s