Egypt recovers two ancient artefacts from Belgium

Egypt announced on Tuesday that it had successfully repatriated two ancient artefacts from Belgium, part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal trafficking of antiquities and reaffirm the country’s role as a steward of its cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the items had been removed from Egypt illegally and were returned through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, in partnership with Belgium and the Office of the Public Prosecutor. A specialised archaeological committee from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir received the pieces for initial assessment and restoration before their eventual display in museum galleries.

The recovered artefacts—a gilded, painted wooden coffin from the Late Period and a wooden beard from the Middle Kingdom once attached to an ancient statue—reflect Egypt’s rich funerary and sculptural traditions. The coffin’s detailed decorations offer insight into burial rituals, while the beard represents an important symbolic element in Egyptian statuary.

Egypt has been pursuing the return of the two items since 2016, when Belgian authorities seized four artifacts on display without legal ownership documentation. Two of the four pieces were repatriated in 2022, while the remaining items were recovered following several years of diplomatic and legal negotiations.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating the illicit antiquities trade.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities remains fully committed to tracking all cases related to our heritage and will take every legal and diplomatic measure necessary to recover any Egyptian artefact that has left the country illegally, safeguarding Egypt’s cultural identity and its millennia-old history,” said the minister.

Shabaan Abdel-Gawad, director-general of the administration overseeing repatriated antiquities, described the recovery as a milestone in the country’s broader strategy to safeguard its cultural assets, deter illegal trafficking, and strengthen international collaboration.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English