The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Images via The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has recently announced the recovery of 36 Egyptian artefacts that were seized by US authorities and returned to Egypt. After the opening of The Grand Egyptian Museum, everyone is excited to see ancient artefacts returned to Egypt. As pride in our history and heritage grows, efforts to recover smuggled and stolen artefacts become more effective.

Renewed National Efforts by Egypt

“Any artefact that belongs to Egypt’s heritage is important. Even if it’s a small stone, it is important to bring it back to Egypt, where it belongs,” Nevine El-Aref, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities media adviser, said in a recent interview on CBS News.

She commented on Egypt’s efforts to recover illegally smuggled artefacts and the co-operation between Egyptian and US authorities to recover any stolen artefacts, saying, “It is very important for Egypt to preserve its archaeological heritage and its history and pass it on to the next generations.” In light of this effort, 36 artefacts have been returned to Egypt.

A Closer Look at the Returned Artefacts

Egypt has a rich history spanning thousands of years, with many different periods. Each one has its unique characteristics and artefacts. This is reflected in the groups of returned artefacts, which fall into three distinct groupings. Going from the Pharaonic era with figurines and wall paintings, to Roman era statue heads and funerary stelae, to rare Coptic and Syrian manuscripts.

Pharaonic Era Artefacts

Among the returned artefacts are an ancient Egyptian kneeling figurine, a small bronze squatting man, a statue of a man holding a fish, a bronze statue of a man, and an ancient Egyptian falcon pendant. As for larger artefacts, there is a tablet dating to ancient Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, which ruled from circa 1550 to 1292 B.C.E., and a wall painting with a standing woman dating to 1525–1492 B.C.E.

Roman Era Artefacts

The Roman-era artefacts returned are on the larger side. They consist of a Roman statue head dating to the 1st-4th centuries C.E. and a limestone funerary stela dating to the Roman period.

Manuscripts Returned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art had some rare ancient Coptic and Syrian manuscripts. Seven of these rare manuscripts were handed over to Egypt this November.

Uncategorised Artefacts

Finally, among the different artefacts, several pieces were unclear which era they belonged to, including a turquoise bowl depicting a lion and a metal decorative vessel with inlay.

It’s a great thing to witness these artefacts return to their rightful home. Let’s hope that there will be a lot more to follow.