A clutch of priceless Ancient Syrian mosaics was handed back to Damascus Thursday after being restored in Italy's mosaic mecca Ravenna.
The four series of mosaics were presented to Syrian Culture Minister Riyad Naasan Agha at the National Museum in Damascus.
''We are infinitely grateful to the Italian experts who brought these historical artefacts back to life,'' the minister said.
After their restoration earlier this year, the pictures of animals and symbols of peace were displayed in Ravenna's Church of San Domenico from August 3 until November 11.
The mosaics were created by artists during the late Roman period, when Syria was a province of the Roman Empire.
Its capital Antioch was particularly renowned, and was for a long time one of the most important areas of mosaic production in the entire Roman Empire.
