Israel to return ancient coffin lid to Egypt

[Winged Isis]

Israel to return ancient coffin lid to Egypt
Ancient Egyptian coffin lid belonging to unidentified Sixteenth Dynasty nobleman will be returned to Egypt from Israel following year of negotiations
Nevine El-Aref , Wednesday 29 Aug 2012

After almost one year of diplomatic negotiations, Israel has offered Egypt two pieces of a painted anthropoid coffin lid that belonged to an unidentified 16th Dynasty nobleman. The lid is expected to arrive in Cairo within two weeks after having been seized by the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA) from a shop showroom in Jerusalem's Old City in April of last year.

Osama El-Nahas, director-general of the Repatriation of Antiquities Department at Egypt's Ministry of State for Antiquities (MSA), told Ahram Online that the lid had been very well preserved despite being broken in two. Each part of the lid is made of carved wood, painted on plaster and decorated with colourful religious scenes.

According to El-Nahas, the lid was stolen and illegally smuggled out of the country and slightly modified to look like a replica. It was first taken to Dubai, from where it was transported to Israel, where it subsequently turned up in a shop in Jerusalem's Old City.

Last September, MSA officials formally requested the object's return to Egypt. Egyptian Minister of State for Antiquities Mohamed Ibrahim said his ministry had sent an official letter to Egypt's embassy in Tel Aviv requesting Israel to take all legal and diplomatic procedures necessary for the object's restoration to Egypt.

After several meetings with Israeli counterparts, the IAA bought the lid from the shop owner and promised it to Egypt. Ibrahim says that within two weeks the lid will arrive in Cairo, where it will be stored at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square for restoration before being put in a special display in the museum’s foyer.


http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent ... Egypt.aspx

[Scottishtourist]

Does anyone care?
Why the links to something that doesn't make any difference to you or my life?
It's PAST!!!!
Live in the present!History is all very iteresting...but for goodness sake...give us some knowledge of what's going on there now!

[Teddyboy]

"History is all very iteresting...but for goodness sake...give us some knowledge of what's going on there now!"

Are you, by any chance, a disciple of friend Bliar? He didn't see the significance of history either, and he's supposed to be an educated man????????????

[TonyC]

Does anyone care?
Why the links to something that doesn't make any difference to you or my life?
It's PAST!!!!
Live in the present!History is all very iteresting...but for goodness sake...give us some knowledge of what's going on there now!

Jolly grumpy, aren't you? And why would you expect knowledge of what's going on now in the History section? But I see it was posted in the wee small hours. On a bad night shift, perhaps?

[Scottishtourist]

Nah TonyC!
On the juice after a busy early shift and enjoying well earned works nite out!
Weekend off....so no detriment to patient care,lol!!!

[Winged Isis]

As there are 25 people who have read this so far, obviously there is an interest, as I already knew from previous posts made by myself and others. As noted above, it is in the HISTORY forum, to state the bleeding obvious; not to mention that many, if not most, have a strong interest in Egyptian history, that quite often being the reason people visit. No-one forced you to read it. Time to put the bottle away, perhaps. :yawn:

[Scottishtourist]

Time you took time out and maybe opened one WI!

[Winged Isis]

Oh I do enjoy the odd glass of wine or a Margherita thanks, but in moderation, and never when posting. There are too many good things in life to enjoy to the max, so it would be a shame to have them clouded by alcohol.

[DIANA]

Keep posting those interesting reports Winged Isis and be assured there are many people on here who enjoy reading them.

[Winged Isis]

Thank you, D, I certainly will, as I know many do. Horses for courses.