I'm not really clear on why they were ever gone, and with all the changes since then we could just bring them back with stats similar to guns and bows and crossbows, shouldn't we?
Well, they would have to re-implement the ranged slot again. Can't imagine hunters using throwing weapons. And if few classes are getting their ranged slot back, that would mean that Relics would have to be brought back as well. Then distribute meaningful amount of throwing weapons/relics all over the world. That's quite a lot of work for very little gain.
Classes that used throwing weapons (Warriors, Rogues) got a replacement ability for the loss. However they were removed because they weren't used for their functions, but for their stats. Similar to casters with wands, hunters with melee weapons, etc. Relics were at least interesting, because they added a bonus to spells for their respectful classes.