Secretary-General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri takes a close look at the ancient Egyptian artefact 'Green Sarcophagus' after it was returned from the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, in Cairo, Egypt, 02 January 2023. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US Charge of Affairs Daniel Rubinstein attended a ceremony on 02 January to celebrate the handing over of the coffin lid known as the 'Green Sarcophagus' that was smuggled illegally outside of Egypt and recovered from the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences. The artefact is three meters long carved in wood with columns of hieroglyphic texts dating back to the Late Period (664-332 BC). EPA / KHALED ELFIQI
Secretary-General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri takes a close look at the ancient Egyptian artefact 'Green Sarcophagus' after it was returned from the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, in Cairo, Egypt, 02 January 2023. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US Charge of Affairs Daniel Rubinstein attended a ceremony on 02 January to celebrate the handing over of the coffin lid known as the 'Green Sarcophagus' that was smuggled illegally outside of Egypt and recovered from the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences. The artefact is three meters long carved in wood with columns of hieroglyphic texts dating back to the Late Period (664-332 BC). EPA / KHALED ELFIQI
From left: Mostafa Waziri, head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed Issa, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and other officials attend the handover ceremony for an ancient wooden sarcophagus that has been returned to Egypt. AFP
From left: Mostafa Waziri, head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed Issa, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and other officials attend the handover ceremony for an ancient wooden sarcophagus that has been returned to Egypt. AFP
The sarcophagus was looted and smuggled out of Egypt years ago. AFP
The sarcophagus was looted and smuggled out of Egypt years ago. AFP
It was previously displayed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. AFP
It was previously displayed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. AFP
Mr Shoukry, second left, and Mr Issa, right, look on as Mr Waziri speaks during the handover ceremony, at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Cairo. AFP
Mr Shoukry, second left, and Mr Issa, right, look on as Mr Waziri speaks during the handover ceremony, at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Cairo. AFP
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (L) and Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed Issa (C-R) look on as the head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri (C) gives a statement during a handover ceremony for an ancient Egyptian wooden sarcophagus that was looted and smuggled years prior and was formerly displayed at Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, at the foreign ministry headquarters in the capital Cairo. AFP
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (L) and Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed Issa (C-R) look on as the head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri (C) gives a statement during a handover ceremony for an ancient Egyptian wooden sarcophagus that was looted and smuggled years prior and was formerly displayed at Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, at the foreign ministry headquarters in the capital Cairo. AFP
Secretary-General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri takes a close look at the ancient Egyptian artefact 'Green Sarcophagus' after it was returned from the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
Secretary-General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri takes a close look at the ancient Egyptian artefact 'Green Sarcophagus' after it was returned from the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
The ancient Egyptian artefact 'Green Sarcophagus' is displayed after it was returned from the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
The ancient Egyptian artefact 'Green Sarcophagus' is displayed after it was returned from the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
An ancient wooden sarcophagus is displayed during a handover ceremony at the foreign ministry in Cairo, Egypt. AP
An ancient wooden sarcophagus is displayed during a handover ceremony at the foreign ministry in Cairo, Egypt. AP

MENA

Egypt

Egypt's looted ancient 'Green Sarcophagus' lid returned by US

Recovery of artefact dating back 2,700 years is part of efforts to protect country's heritage, says Egyptian minister

The National

January 03, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Egypt has recovered an ancient sarcophagus lid that was smuggled out of the country and ended up on display at a museum in the US.

The 2,700-year-old artefact — known as the “Green Sarcophagus” — has been returned to Egypt by the US, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said.

The lid, which is about three metres long, was among 17 artefacts recently recovered from the US, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed Issa said. The complete sarcophagus weighs about 500kg.

It was looted from the Abusir necropolis, south of Cairo, then transported to the US in 2008.

It was acquired by the Houston Museum of Natural Science, in Texas, in 2013, according to state media.

Its recovery is part of efforts to protect Egypt's heritage, Mr Shoukry said.

Over the past decade, Egypt has recovered about 29,000 antiquities taken abroad illegally.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said only the lid of the half-tonne sarcophagus had been stolen.

It is one of the largest wooden sarcophagi from Ancient Egypt, he said, dating back to the Late Period, spanning the last of the Pharaonic rulers from 664BC to Alexander the Great’s campaign in 332BC.

The coffin may have belonged to a priest named Ankhenmaat, though some of the inscription has been erased, Mr Waziri said.

It was named the Green Sarcophagus because of the colour of the face on its brightly painted lid.

The handover came more than three months after the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office determined the sarcophagus was looted.

It was smuggled through Germany into the US in 2008, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

“This stunning coffin was trafficked by a well-organised network that has looted countless antiquities from the region,” Mr Bragg said.

“We are pleased that this object will be returned to Egypt, where it rightfully belongs.”

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Breast cancer in men: the facts

1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.

2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash. 

3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible. 

4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key. 

5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor

 

While you're here
What is 'Soft Power'?

Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye. 
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength. 
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force. 
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Final round

25 under -  Antoine Rozner (FRA)

23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)

21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)

20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)

19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)

How Beautiful this world is!
The biog

Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito

Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa

Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".

Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".

Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 4/5

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

On Women's Day
Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPros%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEasy%20to%20use%20and%20require%20less%20rigorous%20credit%20checks%20than%20traditional%20credit%20options%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOffers%20the%20ability%20to%20spread%20the%20cost%20of%20purchases%20over%20time%2C%20often%20interest-free%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EConvenient%20and%20can%20be%20integrated%20directly%20into%20the%20checkout%20process%2C%20useful%20for%20online%20shopping%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHelps%20facilitate%20cash%20flow%20planning%20when%20used%20wisely%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECons%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20ease%20of%20making%20purchases%20can%20lead%20to%20overspending%20and%20accumulation%20of%20debt%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMissing%20payments%20can%20result%20in%20hefty%20fees%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20high%20interest%20rates%20after%20an%20initial%20interest-free%20period%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFailure%20to%20make%20payments%20can%20impact%20credit%20score%20negatively%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERefunds%20can%20be%20complicated%20and%20delayed%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ECourtesy%3A%20Carol%20Glynn%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
While you're here

SPECS

Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR

Engine: 5.7-litre V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 362hp

Torque: 530Nm

Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)

Most%20polluted%20cities%20in%20the%20Middle%20East
%3Cp%3E1.%20Baghdad%2C%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E2.%20Manama%2C%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dhahran%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E4.%20Kuwait%20City%2C%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E5.%20Ras%20Al%20Khaimah%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E6.%20Ash%20Shihaniyah%2C%20Qatar%3Cbr%3E7.%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E8.%20Cairo%2C%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E9.%20Riyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E10.%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
%3Cp%3E1.%20Chad%3Cbr%3E2.%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pakistan%3Cbr%3E4.%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E5.%20Bangladesh%3Cbr%3E6.%20Burkina%20Faso%3Cbr%3E7.%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E8.%20India%3Cbr%3E9.%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E10.%20Tajikistan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

While you're here
Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Updated: January 03, 2023, 8:01 AM
EgyptArchaeology