Egypt recovers a collection of ancient artifacts from the Netherlands
Egypt has successfully recovered a collection of rare artifacts from the Netherlands, in a new step in its efforts to protect and reclaim cultural heritage. These artifacts date back to different periods of ancient Egyptian civilization, and the handover took place through the Egyptian embassy in The Hague after confirming their illegal exit from the country. The recovery process was made possible thanks to the cooperation between the Ministries of Tourism and Antiquities, Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, along with the Dutch National Museum.
The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, described the recovery process as reflecting the shared responsibility for protecting cultural heritage at a global level, emphasizing that such efforts enhance international cooperation in combating the smuggling and loss of antiquities.
On his part, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Khaled, pointed out that the handover process is part of Egypt's ongoing mission to recover smuggled antiquities, explaining that this work is based on the Antiquities Protection Law of 1983 and its amendments, ensuring the preservation of heritage for future generations.
Shaban Abdel Jawad, head of the General Administration of Recovered Antiquities, explained that the recovered collection includes pottery vessels decorated with star-shaped engravings, spherical pieces, in addition to an artifact resembling a knife. These pieces highlight the diversity and creativity of ancient Egyptian artisans.
This operation adds to Egypt's growing record in recovering artifacts that were illegally taken abroad, reinforcing its determination to protect its heritage and ensure it remains a source of pride and knowledge for its people and the entire world.