Egypt to demand Germany to return Nefertiti statue

[Kshasty]

Source: RIA Novosti

Egypt is set to officially demand Germany to return a 3,300-year-old statue, as it is believed to be illegally taken out of the country in the early 20th century, a cultural heritage official has said.

Egypt maintains that the priceless limestone bust of Nefertiti, queen of ancient Egypt and wife of monotheistic Pharaoh Akhenaten, was taken out of the country in 1914 through fraudulent documents. It has been on display in Berlin's Neues Museum since 1924.

"Berlin has already confirmed that it has proofs that the bust of Nefertiti has been taken out of the country illegally, so we just have to perform an official procedure of returning this lost object of art to its homeland," said Zahi Hawass, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Read more: http://en.rian.ru/culture/20091221/157310158.html

[roguevalley]

1. that is a beautiful thing. I think her name means 'the beautiful one comes'

[Chulanowa]

2. Oh god, I can see it now

Out in "alternative" forums all around the internet, conspiracy nutjobs are seeing the name of Dr. Hawass and thinking this statue has some awesome magical space crystal atlantean alien thing going on. 'Cause Hawass has got to be covering stuff up. :eyes:

[hlthe2b]

3. Egypt has every right to demand their looted antiquities back....but

BUT... I hope they will be judicious in doing so... While they have been severely wronged over the centuries, the presence of so many priceless antiquities in the world's major museums only serves to underscore ancient Egypt's importance and to stimulate interest among those who might never travel to Egypt. I see that as a good thing... After all, it was private donations that saved the great statues of Aswan. Egypt can depend on international support for their excavations and restorations from the interest and good will that the presence of these antiquities in national museums outside Egypt affords. And, that good will... is likewise...priceless.

[Coventina]

4. Like you, I'm conflicted about this. In a perfect world, all antiquities

should reside in their homeland.

But it's a far from perfect world.

Nefertiti is extremely delicate. The layer of painted plaster over the stone is so fragile that the slightest change of humidity, temperature, and not to mention movement, could damage her.

Plus, I worry about the safety of Egypt's antiquities in Egypt. There are numerous sites that are being looted and destroyed due to lack of adequate protection. Instead of fighting for Nefertiti, why not devote resources to preserving what is there and vulnerable?

Plus, the idea that Nefertiti was taken "illegally" is a new one to me. The story I had read before is that the German archaelogist did have permission from the Egyptian government at the time.

[hlthe2b]

5. If you've ever been to the National Museum in Cairo....

(home to the Tut and other major finds), you know that it lies in a very congested area of Cairo and (at least when I was there) had very little if any protection against the air pollutants and the temperature and humidiity fluctuations... I hope that has been addressed by now, but as amazed as I was to visit there, I was also horrified that these treasures were so vulnerable. Egypt has so many "riches" in terms of antiquities, I think it only practical, to let other countries help "host" these priceless historical finds.

On edit, I have a replica of this very Nefertiti that I purchased long ago when the Museum stores were around. I really treasure it. (It is the "real replica," complete with the damage to the right ear and left eye, identical to what you see in Berlin... I have seen others that have "restored" the bust, complete with the missing eye and they look really really fake).

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. Supposedly, the archeologist knew what he had, but passed it off to

Egyptian authorities as being a relatively insignificant piece.

I think that the Berlin museum should make a counter-offer - pay 'X' amount to keep it on indefinite loan. That way it can remain on display in Berlin (where I saw it when I was 12) and yet it remains the property of Egypt, and the payment can go to help preserve more threatened treasures that are in need of protection or preservation. A half million a year would be appropriate, IMO.

[WriteDown]

7. You captured my sentiments exactly. nt

[era veteran]

8. I saw her 35 years ago in Berlin

While I was lucky enough to see her in a communist museum, I probably would never be able to if she was in Cairo. Regardless this stolen (baksheesh) bust should be returned to her home. Take the 'Elgin" marbles back to Athens too.