Stolen artifacts returned
Any archaeologist, whether a professional, academic or amateur like myself, must not take any find they might make out of the country without permission. Every find must be catalogued, photographed, and retained in its country of origin. They will be made available for scholarly examination and placed upon display in a museum.
In earlier generations, local tribes or governments were paid nominal sums and huge archaeological discoveries were shipped overseas. For example, the Great Temple of Zeus from Pergamon (modern Turkey) is today in Berlin. This altar, dedicated to Zeus, is what John of Patmos referred to as “Satan’s Throne” in his Book of Revelation (Revelation 2:12-13). The great friezes from the Parthenon (in Athens) are in the British Museum (Elgin’s marbles) brought home by Lord Elgin. Meanwhile Cleopatra’s “needle” stands on the bank of the Thames, and many tombs and mummies now reside in USA. Aboriginal artefacts were shipped from Australia by the crate load, as from every under-developed country in the world.
Every now and then a victory is achieved, such as hundreds of Aboriginal skulls being returned from Great Britain for burial by indigenous people back in their home tribal areas. Archaeological artefacts are not decorations for the homes of wealthy buyers. They belong where they were found.
Egypt has now been successful in identifying two stolen artefacts up for sale and having them returned to Egypt. Two alabaster boxes in the shape of ducks, which were excavated by Dr. Dieter Arnold in 1979 from the pyramid complex of Amenemhat III at Dahshur, have been put up for sale.
Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), explained that several years ago the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was presented with two alabaster duck boxes, one from Christie’s New York and the other from Rupert Wace Ancient Art Limited in London.
Dr. Arnold was intrigued by these ducks, as he knew they must be royal, but the Metropolitan Museum was not satisfied with their provenances and decided against buying them. Dr. Arnold informed Dr. Hawass immediately of this situation.
Careful checking of the ducks against Dr. Arnold’s excavation notes confirmed the identification of the Christie’s and Wace ducks with Dr. Arnold’s ducks. When apprised of the situation, the auction houses withdrew them from sale and returned them to Egypt. We congratulate all concerned for their success in returning these artifacts to Egypt.
REV THE HON. DR GORDON MOYES, A.C., M.L.C.
