Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Egypt Recovers Over 29,000 Archaeological Pieces from 14 Countries


Sun 01 Oct 2023 | 08:15 AM
Archaeological Pieces (File photo)
Archaeological Pieces (File photo)
By Ahmad El-Assasy

In a monumental victory for cultural preservation, Egypt has successfully reclaimed 29.2 thousand archaeological pieces from 14 countries, spanning from 2014 to 2022, with notable pieces returning from nations such as the United States, the Netherlands, France, and Spain, among others.

Egypt's diligent efforts have brought back a myriad of artifacts from various countries including the USA, Netherlands, France, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Germany, UAE, Jordan, Canada, Cyprus, and Kuwait. Each piece not only holds significant historical and cultural value but also reinstates a part of Egypt’s rich and diverse heritage back to its rightful soil.

Among the prominent recovered artifacts are two terracotta statues from the Greek and Roman eras from Italy and two archaeological stone statues from Belgium. Furthermore, a number of artifacts have been repatriated from the United States, each telling a tale of Egypt’s glorious past and vibrant history.

Egypt also managed to retrieve 50 artifacts from England, including 49 pieces made from papyrus and a stone piece from the Temple of Hatshepsut, showcasing a wide range of materials and periods within the collected items.

This large-scale recovery exemplifies Egypt’s commitment to safeguarding and preserving its cultural and archaeological legacy. 

The repatriation of artifacts not only underscores international cooperation but also highlights the global acknowledgment of the importance of preserving and returning historical artifacts to their country of origin.

The successful repatriation of these archaeological pieces not only represents a victory for Egypt but is also a win for heritage preservation globally. 

It sets a precedent for international collaboration in preserving and respecting each nation’s cultural and historical artifacts, ensuring they can be studied and admired by future generations in their authentic context.

Egypt, recognized globally for its unparalleled archaeological and cultural wealth, has witnessed a tumultuous journey in safeguarding its heritage. 

With a history that has unfurled over millennia, the nation hosts an incredible array of artifacts, from the remnants of Pharaonic times to treasures from its Greek, Roman, Coptic, and Islamic periods. 

However, the peril of illicit artifact trafficking has persistently loomed, propelling these invaluable pieces into private collections and international museums illicitly. 

Over the decades, Egypt has ardently endeavored to halt illegal smuggling and procure the repatriation of wrongfully displaced artifacts, navigating through the realms of international laws, bilateral relations, and cooperative agreements with various nations. 

The retrieval of artifacts is more than just regaining possession; it is a fervent effort to preserve and duly honor Egypt’s remarkable history and its contributions to human civilization.

 The successful repatriations, achieved through diplomacy, legal mechanisms, and international collaborations, symbolize a stand against illicit artifact trade and underscore the universal importance of preserving and respecting each nation's heritage and history, bound within its artifacts, for generations to come.