Egypt Recovers 13 Artifacts from the United States

As part of Egypt’s ongoing efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property, the Egyptian government has successfully repatriated 13 artifacts from the United States. This achievement resulted from the close cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the Egyptian Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Tourism and Antiquities Police.

Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, stated that the recovery of these pieces is part of the state’s strategy to safeguard its unique heritage. He emphasized that Egypt remains committed to reclaiming all artifacts smuggled out of the country through every available legal and diplomatic channel, ensuring the protection of this human legacy for future generations. The Minister also expressed his gratitude to the national and international authorities involved for their legal efforts in tracking and reclaiming these treasures.

Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the recovered pieces are highly significant and diverse, spanning from Pre-Dynastic times to the Greco-Roman period. Mr. Shaaban Abdel-Gawad, Director-General of the Antiquities Repatriation Department, highlighted that the collection includes several notable items: an alabaster jar for oils dating to the 7th century BCE, a Middle Kingdom cosmetic jar in the shape of a cat, a New Kingdom kohl pot shaped like a monkey, a Ptolemaic vessel, and a ceremonial chalice used in religious rituals.

The collection also features a fragment of a decorated vessel depicting a child in swamp plants—likely representing Horus the Child—a Ptolemaic pottery duck, and a ceramic ornament featuring the head of the Greek god Dionysus. Additionally, the repatriated items include a 2nd-century CE statue of the goddess Isis in the form of Aphrodite, reflecting the cultural fusion between Egyptian and Greek civilizations, and a Late Period block statue of an individual named “Ankh-en-Nefer.”