Monday, 25 May 2026
Source: MENA
Egypt repatriates two ancient artefacts from Belgium
Brussels – In a significant step towards preserving the world’s shared cultural heritage, the Egyptian Embassy in Belgium has successfully secured the return of two invaluable ancient Egyptian artefacts. These artefacts are now set to return home to Egypt, following a formal ceremony held at the Art & History Museum in Brussels.
The ceremony was attended by Egypt’s Ambassador to Belgium, Mr Ahmed Abu Zeid, along with senior representatives from the Belgian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy, the Belgian Public Prosecutor’s Office, renowned Egyptologists, and members of the press.
This achievement is the result of close cooperation between the Egyptian Embassy in Brussels, Belgian governmental institutions, and legal authorities.
The first recovered artefact is a finely decorated wooden coffin lid from the Ptolemaic era (approximately 3rd to 1st centuries BCE), featuring gilded inscriptions and artwork. The second item is a wooden beard that originally belonged to an ancient Egyptian statue.
Ambassador Abu Zeid expressed his great satisfaction on the occasion, highlighting both the Egyptian government’s and people’s strong commitment to returning looted artefacts to their homeland. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Belgian authorities for their fruitful collaboration, which made this restitution possible.
During his remarks, Ambassador Abu Zeid emphasised the extraordinary craftsmanship of ancient Egypt and reiterated his country’s determination to continue working with the international community. He also underscored the importance of raising awareness about the fight against illicit trafficking in cultural property, which he described as a shared human heritage.
Egypt’s continued efforts to recover its lost antiquities align with the 1970 UNESCO Convention, reflecting a global commitment to the protection and return of cultural assets.
This successful partnership between Egypt and Belgium sends a message of hope—demonstrating that international cooperation is key to preserving and celebrating our collective human history.