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Around 12 ancient items were officially restored to the Ethiopian nation after remaining by a German family for more than ten decades.

These treasures, initially collected in the 1920's by the German representative to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were transferred on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.

The set contained crowns, shields and artistic works, each regarded as historically valuable in the nation.

"These treasures still represent a mark of the long-standing and amicable relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," stated Germany's envoy, Germany's envoy to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose parent was delivered during the family's diplomatic posting in the nation, handed over the objects at a ceremony witnessed by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He said that the household's goal to restore the treasures was to "share their beauty with the public and safeguard the culture and past connected to my father's birth."

These artefacts were either considered gifts or acquisitions, as stated by the family.

"We want to thank the Weiss family for actively demonstrating their sincere love for Ethiopia by diligently safeguarding these artifacts and crucially guaranteeing their return to their rightful nation," stated the minister of tourism.

She added that the pieces would soon be made accessible to the public for investigation and academic study, calling the decision a landmark in protecting the nation's national treasures.

"Actions will continue to bring back historical items that are located in the hands of private persons and entities all over the planet," the minister stated.

In the era of colonialism in the African continent, thousands of cultural objects were taken.

This call by the continent's states for the restoration of stolen artefacts has been responded to by certain positive outcomes in the past few years - even if some objects are just on loan.

Back in two years ago, Germany was the first nation to repatriate a portion of the well-known historical items to Nigeria as part of an effort to deal with its "troubled legacy."

Related Subjects

• Historical Return Movements in Africa
• The Impact of Colonial Past on Modern African Heritage
• International Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures