In a significant cultural repatriation, the United States has returned a stolen ancient Egyptian coffin to Egypt. The artifact, which had been on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, was identified as looted following an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

The ornate coffin, dating back to the Ptolemaic period (304-30 BCE), belonged to a high-ranking priest named Nedjemankh. It was smuggled out of Egypt in 2011 and pᴀssed through several countries before ending up in the Met. The museum acquired the piece in 2017, unaware of its illicit origins.

The handover ceremony was attended by Egyptian officials and representatives from the U.S. government, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage and combating the illegal antiquities trade. Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities expressed graтιтude to the U.S. authorities for their cooperation and commitment to returning stolen cultural treasures.

This repatriation marks a significant victory in Egypt’s ongoing efforts to recover lost artifacts and highlights the critical role of international collaboration in protecting global heritage.