Thursday March 28th, 2024
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Dr Zahi Hawass Launches Petition to Return Rosetta Stone to Egypt

The petition also calls for the return of several other Egyptian artefacts from European museums, such as the bust of Queen Nefertiti in Berlin, and a sculpted Zodiac ceiling at the Louvre in Paris.

Cairo Scene

Egypt’s iconic 2,200-year-old Rosetta stone uncovered ancient Egypt’s hieroglyphics in 1799 and has been residing in the British Museum since 1802 - but if renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass has his way, the stone might soon return to its homeland.

Dr. Hawass, a famed archaeologist and a former minister of antiquities, has launched a petition asking for the return of not just the Rosetta stone but several other Egypt artefacts in Europe’s biggest museums, to be signed by Egypt’s historians and intellectuals.These include the bust of Queen Nefertiti in Berlin, and a sculpted Zodiac ceiling at the Louvre in Paris.

Hawass will send the petition to European museums in October, amidst what he believes to be a global zeitgeist re-considering the return of ancient colonial-era artefacts to their home countries. The former minister has campaigned and managed to bring back thousands of monuments to Egypt’s museums thus far.

This year Egypt is witnessing an unprecedented celebration of ancient Egyptian glory by hosting the centennial celebration of King Tutankhamun's Tomb. The celebration will be held in Luxor under the umbrella of a global conference titled ‘Transcending Eternity: The Centennial Tutankhamun’ in collaboration with the American Research Center in Egypt, set to take place from November 4th to November 7th.