Egypt recovers 3 artefacts found in the Netherlands, including a mummified head

Dutch authorities retrieved the artefacts after determining that they were smuggled out of Egypt

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A head of a mummy retrieved from the Netherlands by Egypt. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via Xinhua

Published: 7:16am, 28 Aug 2024Updated: 11:24am, 28 Aug 2024

Egypt recovered three ancient artefacts that were smuggled out of the country and found in the Netherlands, where two of the items were for sale in an antiques shop, Egyptian officials said on Tuesday.

The items retrieved include a mummified head from the Hellenistic period, a ceramic funerary figurine dating to Egypt’s New Kingdom era (664-332 BC), and part of a wooden tomb bearing an inscription of the goddess Isis from 663-504 BC, the Egyptian embassy in The Hague said in a statement. The head was found in good condition, showing remnants of teeth and hair.

Dutch police and the cultural heritage inspection unit retrieved the figurines and parts of the tomb after determining that they were smuggled out of Egypt.

A Dutch individual handed over the mummified head, which he had inherited from a family member, to local authorities.

Part of a wooden coffin retrieved from the Netherlands. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via Xinhua

The three artefacts are believed to have been stolen and smuggled after they were discovered through illegal excavation, according to Egyptian authorities. No details were provided about when those items were believed to have been unearthed and smuggled.