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Podcast: Witness History
Episode: When Italy gave back Ethiopia’s stolen obelisk
Description: In 2005, the pieces of an ancient monument were flown back to Ethiopia, having been stolen by Italy.The Obelisk of Axum, built around 1,700 years ago, was 24-metres (78 feet) high and weighed around 160 tons.It was looted from Ethiopia on the orders of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.He had it re-erected in Rome outside the former Ministry of the Colonies building near Circus Maximus.Despite a pledge to the United Nations in 1947 to return all plundered goods, it took nearly 60 years for Italy to return the stele.Architect Michele Daniele...