Egypt Wants Nefertiti Bust At Neues Museum In Berlin Returned

by NowPublic Staff | January 24, 2011 at 09:16 am

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Egypt Top Archaeologist Zahi Hawass Says It Is Time Neues Museum In Berlin Returns Bust of Queen Nefertiti

Zahi Hawass, Egypt's most prominent archaeologist has made a formal request to the Neues Museum in Berlin, requesting Germany return the bust of Queen Nefertiti, dating back to the 14th century BC.

"I am doing something that I believe in and that should have been done a 100 years ago," Hawass told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "My campaign has united those who have been pillaged against the pillagers. It's the world's greatest campaign of its kind and has inspired many nations to follow suit."

Hawass, whose Indiana Jones hat has made him an instantly recognizable world figure, said his campaign has returned some 5,000 artifacts to Egypt from museums and private collections the world over since its launch in 2002.

Zahi Hawass has the official support of the government of Egypt. The Germans see things differently.

Germany has declined past Egyptian requests for the bust's return, saying it was in Germany legally and is too fragile to move. But Egypt contends it was taken out with fraudulent documents in 1913.

On Monday, Germany said the latest Egyptian request did not change anything and that Cairo needed to use different channels if it wanted to make a formal request.

"This is not an official request for (her) return by the Egyptian state to Germany," Foreign Ministry spokesman Andreas Peschke told reporters. "Such a request for her return would have to be directed from government to government, and that is not the case."

Queen Nefertiti is perhaps second only to Cleopatra in terms of famous Egyptian Queens - both considering symbols of great beauty.

Nefertiti (c. 1370 BC – c. 1330 BC) was the Great Royal Wife (chief consort) of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten. Nefertiti and her husband were known for a religious revolution, in which they started to worship one god only. This was Aten, or the sun disc....

The bust is one of the most copied works of ancient Egypt. It was attributed to the sculptor Thutmose, and it was found in his workshop. The bust is notable for exemplifying the understanding Ancient Egyptians had regarding realistic facial proportions. Some scholars believe that Nefertiti ruled briefly after her husband's death and before the accession of Tutankhamun as Neferneferuaten, although this identification is a matter of ongoing debate.[2]