In a new achievement that reflects Egypt’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage and preserving its national identity—and in line with the directives of the President—Egypt has successfully recovered 36 ancient Egyptian artifacts from the United States that had left the country through illegal means.
This recovery was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in full coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, the International Cooperation Department at the office of the Egyptian Attorney General, and all relevant security and regulatory bodies within Egypt.
An archaeological committee from the Supreme Council of Antiquities received these artifacts, which will be stored at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square for restoration and eventual display according to its exhibition plans.
This accomplishment also came as a result of fruitful cooperation with specialized U.S. authorities, particularly the New York District Attorney’s Office, within the framework of the bilateral memorandum of understanding between Egypt and the United States on the protection and recovery of antiquities.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Sherif Fathy, noted that the recovery of these artifacts underscores Egypt’s steadfast commitment to protecting its heritage, reclaiming its cultural property, and restoring antiquities that were exported unlawfully. He praised the effective collaboration between Egyptian and American institutions, which demonstrates a growing awareness of the importance of combating illicit trafficking in cultural and archaeological items and safeguarding human heritage, affirming Egypt’s ongoing effort to reclaim every piece that left the country illegally.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that the recovery of this collection marks a new step in a series of achievements made possible by Egypt’s scientific and methodical legal approach to artifact recovery. These items are not mere historical possessions, but living witnesses to the civilization crafted by Egyptians over thousands of years. Their return crowns diligent efforts and active international cooperation.
Mr. Shaban Abdel Gawad, General Director of the Administration for Recovered Antiquities and Head of the Central Administration for Archaeological Ports at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the recovered pieces include three main groups. The first consists of 11 artifacts handed over by the New York District Attorney’s Office, including a Roman-era mummy mask of a young man, a Bes-shaped vessel, and a funerary limestone stela from the Roman period.
The second group, delivered by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to Egypt’s Consulate in New York as an initiative, comprises 24 rare manuscripts with texts in both Coptic and Syriac.
The third group is a colored gypsum panel from the 18th Dynasty, confiscated by the New York District Attorney’s Office after it was proven to have left Egypt illegally.
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Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities