Saturday, April 23, 2011

Looted Artifacts Found in Cairo Metro

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.

1 comment:

George Patsourakos said...

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.