Reopening of the National Baghdad Museum after three-year closure - in pictures

Take a look at the country's ancient past

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  Iraq's National Museum in Baghdad reopened to the public after renovation and maintenance work. All photos: EPA

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  The museum showcases Iraqi artefacts recovered from the US, Netherlands, Japan, Italy, and Lebanon.

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  The museum was closed in 2019 for security reasons, amid escalating anti-government protests in the city.

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  Treasures dating back 2,500 years to the neo-Assyrian empire alongside ninth century Islamic antiquities went back on display.

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  A lion head made of pottery dated to 2112-2004 BC is on display.

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  An obelisk of white stone that belonged to King Dadusha of the Eshnunna dynasty, 1830- 1760 BC.

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  The museum, which has stood at its present site since 1966, was ransacked amid the chaos that followed the US-led invasion of 2003 that toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein.

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  People visit the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad, Iraq, 14 March 2022. Iraq’s National Museum in Baghdad reopened to the public after renovation and maintenance work, and showcases Iraqi artifacts recovered from the US, Netherlands, Japan, Italy, and Lebanon. The museum was closed since 2019 for security reasons, amid escalating anti-government protests in the city. EPA / AHMED JALIL

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  ISIS, which controlled swathes of Iraq between 2014 and 2017, carried out large-scale destruction of ancient sites, as well as trafficking in antiquities.

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