Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Egypt reclaims 13 ancient artefacts from the United Kingdom and Germany
In a heartening achievement celebrating Egypt’s enduring cultural heritage, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has received 13 ancient artefacts that were recently repatriated from the United Kingdom and Germany. This successful recovery was made possible through dedicated coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, and in close cooperation with both British and German authorities.
Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, expressed his gratitude for the fruitful collaboration between the involved ministries, and extended a special thanks to the British and German authorities for their support. He remarked that this important step reflects Egypt’s strong national commitment to protecting its unique heritage and combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property, reinforcing international partnerships in safeguarding history.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that most of the artefacts returned from the UK were identified after British authorities, led by London’s Metropolitan Police, successfully intercepted and confiscated them, confirming their illegal export via an international smuggling network. Similarly, the artefacts from Germany were offered for return following a proactive notification from Hamburg city’s authorities—after determining their unlicensed departure from Egypt.
According to Mr. Shaaban Abdel-Gawad, Director General of the Antiquities Repatriation Department, the artefacts repatriated from the UK span multiple eras of ancient Egyptian civilization. Highlights include:
- A limestone funerary stela depicting "Basser," a supervisor of builders, worshipping before deities Osiris, Isis, and the four sons of Horus (New Kingdom)
- A small red baboon-shaped amulet for funerary protection
- A green faience base vessel and a blue faience canopic jar (both from the 18th Dynasty)
- A fragment of a bronze crown, featuring a feather, snake, and ram’s head—originally part of a large statue of Osiris (likely between the 22nd and 26th Dynasties)
- A beaded funerary mask (26th Dynasty)
- Several small magical amulets of faience and black stone
The items returned from Germany comprise a skull and hand from an unidentified mummy, as well as an ankh-shaped amulet—the ancient Egyptian symbol of life.
All recovered artefacts have now been safely placed in the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Cairo, where they will soon undergo careful restoration and conservation. The public will soon have the opportunity to view these remarkable objects in a special exhibition dedicated to recently repatriated treasures.
Egypt sincerely thanks its international partners for their cooperation and shared respect for cultural patrimony. Together, we celebrate the return of these precious artefacts to their rightful home.