The Netherlands Repatriates 3,500-Year-Old Artefact to Egypt

During his visit to Cairo, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced that the Netherlands will return a 3,500-year-old artefact to Egypt. The ancient piece, believed to date back to the reign of King Thutmose III, was reportedly looted and illegally traded in the global art market before resurfacing in a Dutch museum.

Authorities in the Netherlands seized the artefact in 2022 after receiving a report tracing it back to its illicit origins. The announcement came as part of Schoof’s official visit to Egypt, where he and his delegation met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi following their attendance at the Grand Egyptian Museum’s landmark inauguration.