Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Hawass calls for return of Nefertiti bust, Rosetta Stone in Italy
Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass called for the return of several iconic Egyptian antiquities during a packed lecture in the northern Italian city of Acqui Terme, where more than 1,000 people gathered to hear him speak as part of his cultural tour across Italy.
Hawass, hosted by the regional governor and the city’s mayor, presented recent archaeological discoveries from Saqqara and Luxor and renewed his appeal for the repatriation of major Egyptian artifacts. He urged international support for Egypt’s campaign to recover the bust of Nefertiti from Berlin, the Rosetta Stone from the British Museum, and the Dendera Zodiac from the Louvre, saying the objects are integral to Egypt’s national heritage and should be displayed in the Grand Egyptian Museum.
He also encouraged Italians to visit Egypt, describing the country as safe and welcoming, and said the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum would be one of the most significant cultural events of the 21st century.
Following the lecture, hundreds lined up for a signing of Hawass’s latest book, The Man with the Hat, reflecting strong local interest in ancient Egypt. The mayor of Acqui Terme and the regional governor praised Hawass’s visit as a cultural bridge between Egyptian and Roman civilizations.
Hawass is scheduled to continue his Italian tour with a stop in Bologna, the next city on his itinerary, where he will deliver further lectures promoting Egyptian archaeology and tourism.