/ 14 April 1999

ETHIOPIANS TREASURE HUNT

ETHIOPIANS are making yet another effort to repatriate national treasures looted as war booty by victorious Europeans. The effort this time is directed at “priceless” religious manuscripts and artifacts including a 17th-century icon depicting Jesus with the crown of thorns, looted by the British more than 130 years ago. An association for the Return of the Maqdala Ethiopian Treasures officially launched its activities at a public gathering in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, marking the 131st anniversary of the fall of Maqdala.