Egyptian Minister of State for Antiquities Zahi Hawas said Tuesday April 14 that Egypt has restored four ancient artifacts that were stolen from the Egyptian Museum during the anti-government protests, state-run MENA news agency reported.
Hawas said at an international press conference that the four restored pieces, among the 37 artifacts missing from the Egyptian Museum, include a gilded wooden statue of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Tutankhamun being carried by a goddess, and parts of another gilded wooden statue of the king.
The four relics were found at a Cairo metro station by archaeologist Salah Mahammad Abdel-salam while he was on his way to work, said Hawas.
Looters broke into the museum near the Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo on Jan. 28, when the anti-government protests drove the police out of the square.
Hawas told reporters that he will submit to Prime Minister Essam Sharaf a comprehensive plan Thursday to protect the Egyptian antiquities, including setting up a special police force to protect the archaeological sites and museums around the country.
Hawas appealed all Egyptians to help in restoring the missing antiquities.
Source: Xinhua
Hawas has been sentenced to one year in jail for refusing to settle a land claim. He is appealing.
Hawas said at an international press conference that the four restored pieces, among the 37 artifacts missing from the Egyptian Museum, include a gilded wooden statue of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Tutankhamun being carried by a goddess, and parts of another gilded wooden statue of the king.
The four relics were found at a Cairo metro station by archaeologist Salah Mahammad Abdel-salam while he was on his way to work, said Hawas.
Looters broke into the museum near the Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo on Jan. 28, when the anti-government protests drove the police out of the square.
Hawas told reporters that he will submit to Prime Minister Essam Sharaf a comprehensive plan Thursday to protect the Egyptian antiquities, including setting up a special police force to protect the archaeological sites and museums around the country.
Hawas appealed all Egyptians to help in restoring the missing antiquities.
Source: Xinhua
Hawas has been sentenced to one year in jail for refusing to settle a land claim. He is appealing.
1 comment:
The four ancient artifacts -- stolen from the Egyptian Museum during the recent anti-government protests -- were left at a Cairo metro station, either because the person who stole them felt guilty about the theft, or (more likely) was unable to sell them.
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