Egypt Cuts Ties With Louvre Over Stolen Artifacts

by amyellensoden | October 7, 2009 at 12:29 pm

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Egypt's antiquities department cut ties to France's Louvre museum today over a dispute concerning ancient relics from some of the leading Egyptology collections.

This has already resulted in Egypt suspending an excavation that the Louvre sponsored at the necropolis of Saqqara. No further expeditions connected to the Louvre will be able to go forth until the dispute is resolved.

Egypt had severed co-operation with the Louvre, pending their return, he said.

The Pharaonic steles, on display in the Louvre, are reported to be from a tomb in the Valley of the Kings, near Luxor.

A Louvre official said "the process for returning them has been engaged".

The communications office at the Louvre is willing to return the artifacts but the issue must first go through a special committee before this can happen.