France has commenced the return of nearly 3,500 archaeological artefacts to Ethiopia, decades after they were taken to Paris for research.

The handover process began on Saturday, November 30, with a ceremonial presentation of three prehistoric tools at the National Museum in Addis Ababa.

During the event, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot handed over two prehistoric stone axes, known as bifaces, and a stone cutter to Ethiopia’s Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

“These tools represent a sample of the nearly 3,500 artefacts uncovered during excavations at the Melka Kunture site,” Barrot said.

Melka Kunture, located south of Addis Ababa, is a prominent cluster of prehistoric sites excavated under the leadership of a late French researcher.

The event underscored the long-standing archaeological and palaeontological collaboration between France and Ethiopia, as highlighted by their bilateral agreement.

Laurent Serrano, cultural advisor at the French embassy in Addis Ababa, clarified that the transfer is not categorized as restitution. “This is a handover, not a restitution, as these objects were never part of French public collections,” he told AFP.

The artefacts, estimated to be between 1 and 2 million years old, were discovered during decades of excavation work near the Ethiopian capital.

Currently housed at the French embassy in Addis Ababa, the full collection will be officially transferred to the Ethiopian Heritage Directorate on Tuesday, December 3.