Egypt recovers three artefacts from Germany
Nevine El-Aref , Saturday 12 Oct 2024
In a significant move to reclaim its cultural heritage, Egypt has successfully recovered three ancient artefacts from Germany.
A delegation from Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially handed over the items to the Egyptian Embassy in Berlin, and they are expected to arrive in Egypt soon.
Sherif Fathi, Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, expressed gratitude for the government's commitment to preserving the country's rich historical legacy. He praised the cooperation between Egypt and Germany in combating the illegal trade of cultural artefacts, noting that this recovery marks a new milestone in their joint efforts.
The recovered items include a gold-plated mummy's skull and hand that the Museum of Art in Hamburg has displayed for over 30 years. These objects, dating back over 2,000 years before Christ, belong to the ancient Egyptian civilization. However, the circumstances surrounding their arrival in Germany remain unclear. Additionally, an ancient Egyptian amulet in the shape of the Ankh symbol, dating back to 600 BC, was confiscated at Frankfurt Airport after being smuggled from the United Kingdom.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the recovery began when the Hamburg Museum offered to return the mummy's skull and hand. Meanwhile, Frankfurt Airport authorities seized the amulet during a customs inspection.
This recovery aligns with the 1970 UNESCO Convention, which combats the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The successful return of these artefacts underscores Egypt's ongoing commitment to protecting its cultural heritage for future generations.
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