US Confiscates Ancient Iraqi Artifacts Illegally Imported By Hobby Lobby -- TPM

The Department of Justice on Wednesday filed to forfeit thousands of ancient Iraqi cuneiform tablets and clay bullae, or seals, illegally imported in 2010 by arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby agreed in December 2010 to purchase "over 5,500 Artifacts, comprised of cuneiform tablets and bricks, clay bullae and cylinder seals, for $1.6 million," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York announced in a release. The artifacts "originated into the area of modern-day Iraq and were smuggled into the United States through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, contrary to federal law,” the office said. ...
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