Australia Returned Ancient Sculpture Piece to Jordan
The artifact, dating back to 12,000 BC, has been reunited with other parts of an ancient engraved stone panel.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Historical
Australia has officially returned an archaeological artifact to Jordan following a formal ceremony at the National Gallery of Australia. This piece represents one-third of the world's oldest known large-scale sculpture.
Why it matters
The repatriation highlights the growing international cooperation between Jordan and Australia in the ongoing effort to protect and preserve global cultural heritage. Returning the fragment allows the complete architectural panel to be studied and displayed together.
The artifact consists of one of three pieces that form a single engraved stone architectural panel. It dates back to 12,000 BC and was originally discovered in 1983 in Wadi Al-Hammah.
The players
Ayman Safadi
He received the artifact on behalf of Jordan during the official ceremony held at the National Gallery of Australia.
National Gallery of Australia
This institution served as the site for the official ceremony where the artifact was transferred back to Jordanian authorities.
Jordan Museum
This facility is one of two locations in Jordan that houses the other existing sections of the ancient engraved stone architectural panel.
The details
The fragment was discovered in 1983 during excavations conducted by a joint mission from the University of Sydney and Worcester College. After being transferred to the National Gallery of Australia in 1985, the piece is now headed back to join the other two sections already held at the Jordan Museum and Dar Al-Saraya Museum.
Timeline
The artifact was created in 12,000 BC.
The piece was discovered in Wadi Al-Hammah in 1983.
The item was transferred to the National Gallery of Australia in 1985.
The artifact was officially returned to Jordan in October 2026.
Culture Shift
This return follows the international norms for cultural property repatriation set by the 1970 UNESCO Convention. It signals a global trend toward consolidating fragmented historical collections back to their countries of origin for better academic preservation.
For the general public, this move ensures that the complete 12,000-year-old sculpture can finally be studied in its entirety by researchers. Visitors to the Jordan Museum and Dar Al-Saraya Museum will eventually see the full panel as it was originally intended.
The takeaway
This return demonstrates the impact of long-term diplomatic cooperation on historical scholarship. By reuniting displaced artifacts, nations can ensure that ancient cultural records remain accessible for future generations to study.
Further reading
Discover more about the Historical significance of global artifact repatriation efforts.
