Attempt to smuggle 18th century artefacts foiled at Egypt's Hurghada port

Nevine El-Aref , Thursday 17 Aug 2017

Egyptian authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle six 18th century artefacts at a port in the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada.

Ahmed Al-Rawi, the head of the Central Administration of Seized Antiquities Unit at the antiquities ministry, says that the seized artefacts were in the possession of a Saudi citizen.

The artefacts include a cane with a handle carved in stone bearing the shape of a man with a long beard wearing the Jewish cap (kippah), as well as five stone reliefs engraved with Hebrew text and other decorative elements.

A book of 29 papers written in Hebrew was also among the seized collection, with early studies suggesting that they could be the commandments of Judas Iscariot.

Al-Rawi asserted that the artefacts were seized after approving their authenticity in accordance with law 117/1983.