In a major cultural achievement, Egypt has recovered 36 ancient artifacts that had been smuggled out of the country illegally, marking another milestone in the nation’s ongoing efforts to preserve its historical identity and heritage. 🇪🇬🤝🇺🇸
The recovery was achieved through coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Emigration, and the Egyptian Public Prosecution’s International Cooperation Department, in partnership with U.S. authorities.
A specialized archaeological committee has received the artifacts and will transfer them to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir for restoration and public display.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi emphasized that this success aligns with Egypt’s commitment, under presidential directives, to retrieve all artifacts that left the country illegally. He praised the fruitful collaboration with U.S. institutions in combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that this recovery is part of Egypt’s systematic and scientific approach to reclaiming its heritage, noting that these artifacts serve as timeless testaments to Egypt’s ancient civilization.
According to Shaaban Abdel-Gawad, Director-General of the Department of Recovered Antiquities, the collection includes three main groups:
The first contains 11 artifacts, including a Roman-era mummy mask, a vessel shaped like the deity “Bes,” and a limestone funerary stela.
The second includes 24 rare manuscripts in Coptic and Syriac returned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The third features a painted plaster panel from the 18th Dynasty, seized by the New York District Attorney’s Office after proving its illegal export.
The return of these treasures marks another victory in Egypt’s mission to safeguard its cultural legacy and restore its ancient glory for future generations. 🏺🌍
