http://thecairopost.youm7.com/news/176622/news/antique-statuette-busted-at-aswan-railway-station

Antique statuette seized at Aswan railway station

Nov. 13, 2015 10:00

The figurine busted at Aswan railway station. YOUM7.

By Rany Mostafa

CAIRO: A 62-year-old man was arrested in Aswan railway station in possession of an antique statuette, Youm7 reported Friday.
The seven-inch-high figurine was wrapped in a linen bandage and hidden in a carton box filled with dates. It was seized during detailed security checks carried out by transport policemen at Aswan railway station on a train heading to Cairo.
The man, who is a farmer, said he found it while working in his farmland and was heading to Cairo to sell it, according to Youm7. He was referred to prosecution for further investigations.
The authenticity and the historical era of the figurine are yet to be confirmed by a committee of specialists.
Egypt’s political turmoil since the January 25 Revolution in 2011 and its consequent security lapse left the country’s cultural heritage vulnerable to looting.
During the past four years, Egypt has recovered more than 1,600 artifacts and is currently working on other cases in many European countries, head of the Repatriated Artifacts Department Aly Ahmed told The Cairo Post.