Egypt has successfully repatriated 36 artifacts that were illegally smuggled to the United States. This was announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
"A new achievement, reflecting the Egyptian state's commitment to protecting its heritage, is the return to Egypt of 36 artifacts that were illegally taken to the United States. The Archaeological Committee of the Supreme Council of Antiquities has received these items for storage at the Egyptian Museum in preparation for their restoration and eventual display," the ministry's statement noted.
The ministry specified that the returned items include: 11 objects handed over by the New York District Attorney's Office; 24 rare manuscripts in Coptic and Syriac, returned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Egyptian Consulate in New York; and a painted fresco from the 18th Dynasty, seized by the New York State Attorney General's Office after its illegal export was proven.
According to the ministry, the transfer of the artifacts was facilitated by the New York State Attorney General's Office and is the result of close cooperation between Egyptian and American authorities under a bilateral memorandum of understanding on the protection and repatriation of cultural property.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy emphasized that this success reflects the Egyptian state's dedication to protecting its heritage and restoring historical justice. He stated that Egypt will continue its efforts to recover all items illegally taken abroad.
Earlier in November, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced that the Netherlands will return a sculpture from the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479-1425 BC) to Egypt by the end of this year.
Evgeniya Mylnikova
НАШ TELEGRAM КАНАЛ
НАШ VK КАНАЛ
