Advertisement

Updated September 26th, 2019 at 20:51 IST

New York Museum returns 2,000 year old stolen Egyptian coffin

The US authorities gave back a 2,000-year-old stolen Egyptian coffin. It was returned back to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City after two years.

Reported by: Pragya Puri
New York
| Image:self
Advertisement

On September 26, According to reports, the US authorities gave back a stolen Egyptian coffin. It was returned back to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City after two years. The museum has displayed the coffin of a priest named Nedjemankh in an exhibition held in one of the sections of the museum which consists of relics from Egypt. According to the officials, the coffin was stolen and later sold to the museum by an Art trafficking network which operates across the globe. The network used fake documents to sell the coffin. 

The coffin was smuggled from Egypt

It is believed that the coffin was initially kept in Egypt and later looted and smuggled from Egypt in the year 2011. The Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance in his interview told the news agency that the investigation has revealed that by far the coffin is just of the many relics stolen by the art trafficking network. He said that there could be more items smuggled from Egypt during a repatriation ceremony held in New York on September 25.

READ: Review: A Yeti Prompts A China Travelogue In ‘Abominable’

Museum given fake documents 

According to the reports the coffin belongs to the 1st Century BC. One of the prestigious museums bought the gold coffin for $4 million from a Parisian art dealer. The coffin was first smuggled to Germany and was restored on its way to France. The prosecutors revealed to the international media that the museum was handled over forged documents which included a 1971 Egyptian export license along with other fake documents. 

READ: Indian Army Tweets Footprint Measuring 32x15 Inches Of Mythical Beast 'Yeti' Sighted By Expedition Team. Details Here

The coffin is a symbol of human heritage

Before the mesmerizing Egyptian coffin was stolen in 2011, it was discovered from the country’s  Minya region where it was buried for the past 2,000 years. The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Hassan Shoukry told foreign news agency that the coffin is symbolic of not just the Egyptian culture but is a symbol of common human heritage”. This should be properly preserved. The coffin will be put on public display in Egypt in 2020 exhibition where people can view the grand and ornate coffin.

READ: Emmy Awards 2019: Sophie Turner, Kit Harington's Hug Is Heartwarming

'Jumbo' Anil Kumble Snaps Breathtaking Egyptian Vulture, Netizens Point Out The Team India 'elephant In The Room'

Advertisement

Published September 26th, 2019 at 17:40 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo