Benin art

In a move that many hailed as a salve for the historic wounds between Europe and Africa, Germany last December returned 22 artifacts, looted during the colonial era, to what is now Nigeria.

But five months on, questions are being asked in Germany as to whether cultural guardians were wise to hand back the priceless treasures, known as the Benin bronzes.

After years of ignored pleas and stonewalled requests, deals were finally coming together to return some of Africa's most prized treasures to the continent.

London's Horniman Museum on Aug. 7 said that it would return dozens of artifacts looted by British soldiers in Nigeria, including 12 of the famed Benin Bronzes.

"Ownership of 72 objects, which were forcibly removed from Benin City during the British military incursion in February 1897, will be transferred to the Nigerian government," the museum said in a statement.

Nigeria's government has handed over two bronze treasures to a traditional royal palace in part of a series of restorations of artifacts looted during colonial times.

In a ceremony accompanied by songs, drums and dancers on Saturday, a bronze cockrell and a king's bust were given to King Uku Akpolokpolor Ewuare II, one of the traditional rulers in Africa's most populous country.