Egyptian Demands on Return of Nefertiti Statue Mar Reopening of Berlin Museum

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October 18, 2009

Just in time for the Neues Museum to reopen their doors after years of overdue renovation, the Egyptian government has claimed their right to one of the museum's most prized exhibits, the bust of Queen Nefertiti. Germany took ownership of the 3,300 year old statue after Germany originally acquired it in 1913. Investigations have been initiated questioned how the piece originally arrived in Germany. If they find out that it had been looted and sold to take its current residence in Germany, the Egyptian government has a legitimate right to ownership. It is just now, 96 years after it was removed from its Egyptian homeland, that Egypt has first attempted to claim ownership of world-renowned artifact. Only a few days after claiming this piece, Egyptian officials began to claim five other artifacts currently installed in the French Louvre. The French government were also willing to return the pieces if there was any proof that they were now under the possession of the Louvre as the result of any illegal activity. Of the various nations that house Egyptian artifacts in museums, most would argue that giving the pieces back would lead to their demise, because Egypt provides such poor conditions to house these works in.