A long-term struggle
The statue is believed to have left Egyptian territory a century ago, shortly after its discovery. Since then, it has been on display at the Neues Museum in Berlin in a domed room. Zahi Hawass, a renowned archaeologist and former Egyptian antiquities minister, aims to change that by ending the country's struggle to return the queen to her homeland, along with dozens of other historical artifacts.
Among them are also the Rosetta Stone, the Dendera Zodiac and the bust of Nefertiti, which are the main objects targeted by this new petition because they were allegedly transported to Germany illegally, according to the archaeologist.
Egypt has been trying for years to get archaeological objects back to its territory. More than a thousand have been returned, but not the bust of Nefertiti, which is considered the German Mona Lisa.
A priceless statue…
“This is a masterpiece of art. It is considered the most beautiful statue ever found. Therefore, the home of the bust should be the Grand Egyptian Museum. All evidence shows that this bust left Egypt illegally,” explained Z. Hawass.
Discovered during an archaeological mission in Egypt or more precisely at Tell el-Amarna in 1912, the 50 cm painted limestone bust was located at a site about 300 km (185 miles) south of Cairo. This place is said to have been the capital of Akhenaten, Nefertiti's husband.
“We had in our hands the most vibrant work of Egyptian art. It was almost complete: only the ears were chipped and the left eye had no iris,” noted the archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt (1863-1938) in his excavation diary on December 6, 1912, the day of the precious.
…source of fascination
A year later, it was in Berlin. But it was not until ten years later that it was exhibited. During the Second World War, it was hidden and protected. Even today, Germany takes great care of this statue; an entire room is even dedicated to it.
But if Egypt still claims it, it is because there are very few representations of Nefertiti and her husband for 15 years, Akhenaton. Indeed, they both suffered a damnatio memoriae, or a damnation of memory. Indeed, their names were erased from public monuments, from currencies and their statues were overthrown.
Allan is out in the field, at the heart of the action. Specializing in local reports and in-depth investigations, he has a knack for revealing the stories behind our city’s facades.
