Ancient Sumerian 'Mona Lisa' unearthed

Dubai: A famous long-lost piece of ancient art has finally been recovered in Iraq last week, according to Arabic daily Al Khaleej.

The 'Sayedat Al Warkaa', a Sumerian 20cm facial curving, known among archaeologists as the Sumerian Mona Lisa, and which is more than 5,000 years old, was found in a garden after the police and occupation forces received a report.

The marble statute was found buried in the shallow mud and totally unharmed.

Authorities said although the Iraqi Museum has retrieved about 3,500 pieces that were looted following the fall of Baghdad, some 10,000 pieces are still missing.