France has started returning around 3,500 archaeological artifacts to Ethiopia, marking a significant moment for both countries. These artifacts had been in French custody since the 1980s for research purposes.
During a ceremony at the National Museum in Addis Ababa, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot presented three key items—a pair of prehistoric stone axes and a stone cutter—to Ethiopian Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa. These tools are among thousands uncovered from the Melka Kunture site, a prehistoric excavation area south of Addis Ababa.
The collaboration between France and Ethiopia is rooted in a longstanding partnership focused on archaeology and paleontology. French researchers had led excavations at Melka Kunture, unearthing artifacts estimated to be between one and two million years old.
Laurent Serrano, a cultural advisor at the French Embassy, clarified that this transfer is a handover, not a restitution, as these objects were never part of France’s public collections. The remaining artifacts, currently stored at the French Embassy, will be officially handed over to Ethiopia’s Heritage Directorate in the coming days.
This gesture underscores the importance of preserving and respecting cultural heritage while strengthening the bond between the two nations.