Ancient Egyptian Sculpture to Return Home

The Netherlands has announced its decision to return a 3,500-year-old sculpture to Egypt. This ancient artifact, a stone head of a high-ranking official from the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III, was discovered at an art fair in Maastricht in 2022.

Experts believe the sculpture was likely stolen from Egypt during the Arab Spring, either in 2011 or 2012. After receiving an anonymous tip, Dutch authorities investigated and confirmed that the artifact had been illegally exported from Egypt.

The Dutch government recognizes the deep cultural significance of this sculpture to Egypt's heritage. They plan to hand it over to the Egyptian ambassador in the Netherlands by the end of this year.

This return coincides with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, a massive new facility showcasing Egypt's rich archaeological treasures.