Key facts
- A 500-year-old Ming Dynasty Buddha statue was returned to China.
- The statue was discovered by prospectors in Western Australia in 2018.
- The bronze figurine was formally handed over to Chinese officials in Denham on Tuesday.
Ming Dynasty Buddha statue returned to China after Australian discovery
IN SHORT
A 500-year-old Ming Dynasty Buddha statue, unearthed in Western Australia, has been formally returned to Chinese officials. The bronze figurine was discovered in 2018 by prospectors in the Shark Bay region, sparking debate about its origins and how it arrived in Australia.
Key Numbers
500-year-oldBuddha statue age
15cmBuddha statue height
2018Statue discovered
15th-centuryMing Dynasty era
Who's Involved
Shayne Thomson
prospector who discovered the Buddha statue
Leon Deschamps
prospector who discovered the Buddha statue
Chinese consular representatives
received the Buddha statue
↳ Why This Matters
The repatriation of the Ming Dynasty Buddha statue highlights ongoing efforts to preserve and return cultural heritage artifacts, while the mystery surrounding its arrival in Australia continues to intrigue historians and archaeologists.