The Netherlands has returned a 3,500-year-old Egyptian sculpture to Egypt, marking an important step in protecting cultural heritage. The handover took place on February 5, after the artefact was identified as looted and unlawfully removed from Egypt.
The ancient sculpture is a stone head that was once part of a larger block statue. It originally came from Luxor in southern Egypt and dates back to the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III, who ruled between 1479 and 1425 BC. The sculpture is believed to depict a senior official from that era.
The artefact likely disappeared during the unrest of the Arab Spring in 2011. During that time, many valuable historical items were stolen and later sold on the international art market. Years later, the sculpture resurfaced at a Dutch art fair in 2022, raising concerns about its origin.
After an investigation, Dutch authorities confirmed that the artefact had been taken out of Egypt illegally. Following this, steps were taken to return it to its rightful home.
Egyptian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Emad Hanna, welcomed the return and stressed the importance of recovering stolen artefacts. He said Egypt actively tracks its historical items when they appear at exhibitions, museums, or auctions around the world.
Ambassador Hanna also highlighted the value of such artefacts for Egypt’s tourism and economy. He explained that when tourists visit Egypt to see original historical pieces, it helps attract more visitors and supports the country’s cultural image.
“At the end of the day, when tourists come to Egypt to see these things, it makes a real difference,” he said.
Officials have not yet announced where the sculpture will be displayed in Egypt. However, its return is being seen as a positive step toward preserving history and strengthening international cooperation to protect ancient heritage.