“We are announcing today that Egypt – this is a national committee, not a government committee – it asks for return of the bust of Nefertiti” – it was written in a petition published on the website of a prominent Egyptian archaeologist, Zahi HawassaThe scientist, who served as Minister of Antiquities in 2011, recalled that the statue was taken out of Egypt without the consent or knowledge of the government.
Egypt: Former Minister Appeals to Berlin to Return Nefertiti Bust
Zahi Hawass calls for signing the appeal addressed to the authorities New Museum in Berlinwhich possesses one of the most famous Egyptian artifacts in the world.
The archaeologist stressed that he is not interested in returning all the exhibits that were taken out of the country and stored in museums around the world. He admitted that he is aware that many of them were brought there legally. Zahi Hawass focuses on three specific objectswhose “importance to Egyptian history is unparalleled”. It is about Rosetta Stone (British Museum), Zodiac z Dendery (Louvre) and the mentioned bust of Nefertiti.
“When artifacts are illegally taken out of Egypt and sold, it only encourages and emboldens thieves. I am saddened to say that museums that continue to display these artifacts and refuse to return them, still participate in the phenomenon of imperialism and they cannot be trusted when they say they condemn him,” the former minister announced.
Bust of Nefertiti. One of the most important symbols of ancient Egypt
The iconic painted bust of Nefertiti dates back to 1345 BC. It was probably created by the sculptor TotmesThe statue depicts the Great Royal Wife of one of the most famous pharaohs in Egyptian history, Echnatona from the 18th dynasty. The bust is made of limestone and polychromed.
In 1912, the artifact was discovered in Amarna by a German archaeological team led by Ludwig Borchardt“Suddenly we had in our hands the most authentic and vibrant Egyptian masterpiece. You can't describe it with words, you have to see it,” the German scientist wrote in his diary after unearthing the statue.
A year later the bust was taken from Egypt to German. As the archaeological team claimed at the time – completely legally. Historians, however, point out that in order to do this Borchardt had to resort to trickeryIn order to bypass regulations prohibiting the export of exhibits of exceptional value from Egypt, the German scientist allegedly declared that the bust was made of plaster.
Egypt unsuccessfully fights for return of Nefertiti bust
Already when the exhibit was first exhibited in a German museum w 1924 r.Egypt appealed for its return. However, negotiations did not bring any results.
Zahi Hawass has been taking action to convince Germany to return the bust of Nefertiti since 2007. The archaeologist blackmailed Germany with a ban on lending Egyptian works for temporary exhibitions in Germany, planned a boycott of local museums, and in 2012 asked for the loan of the exhibit to celebrate the opening of the The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.
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