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Egypt has announced the successful recovery of two ancient artifacts that were illegally smuggled to Belgium: an intricately decorated gilded wooden coffin from the Late Period and a wooden beard from a Middle Kingdom statue. Their return marks an important milestone in Egypt’s ongoing efforts to reclaim and protect its cultural heritage.
The story dates back to 2016, when Belgian authorities seized four Egyptian artifacts displayed in a local gallery. The items lacked any legal documentation proving ownership or valid provenance, prompting an investigation and halting their sale.
After years of cooperation between Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Belgian authorities, Egypt successfully reclaimed two of the four artifacts in 2022:
Both pieces were returned as part of a diplomatic and legal process involving extensive negotiations.
Egypt continued to pursue the remaining two artifacts through official channels. After multiple rounds of documentation, legal verification, and coordination with Belgian authorities, the final two items were officially handed over in 2025. This achievement represents another significant victory in Egypt’s fight against the illegal trafficking of antiquities.
The recovered coffin is a beautifully painted and gilded wooden artifact dating to the Late Period of ancient Egypt. It features intricate decorations reflecting the religious beliefs, funerary rituals, and coffin-making techniques characteristic of the era. Such craftsmanship offers valuable insight into artistic traditions and symbolic practices during the later phases of ancient Egyptian civilization.
The second artifact is a wooden beard fragment from a statue dating to the Middle Kingdom. False beards held deep symbolic meaning in ancient Egyptian sculpture, representing divine authority, kingship, and spiritual power. This recovered relic provides important context for understanding Middle Kingdom statuary and artistic symbolism.
The Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) continues to lead national efforts to track, document, and recover stolen antiquities. Through international cooperation, legal action, and diplomatic engagement, the SCA actively combats the illegal trade in cultural heritage.
Egypt has made significant progress in repatriating smuggled antiquities in recent years. Each successful recovery strengthens global awareness of heritage protection and reinforces Egypt’s commitment to safeguarding its ancient treasures for future generations.
The return of these two artifacts is more than a legal or diplomatic success - it is a cultural triumph. It preserves irreplaceable pieces of Egypt’s history, deepens our understanding of ancient craftsmanship, and sets an international example for combating antiquities trafficking. Such victories also highlight Egypt’s dedication to protecting archaeological heritage and maintaining stewardship over the world’s oldest civilization.
Inside Egypt celebrates and supports the preservation of Egypt’s extraordinary heritage. Our luxury cultural tours connect travelers with the country’s magnificent monuments, ancient temples, museum treasures, and ongoing archaeological discoveries.
Discover Egypt with expert Egyptologists and experience the history behind these remarkable artifacts firsthand.
Explore our tours: https://www.inside-egypt.com/luxury-egypt-tours.html
