Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The ancient Egyptians left behind one of humanity’s most extraordinary legacies. Every artefact they crafted tells a story, and every tomb unearthed reveals new secrets about the pharaohs’ lives. Yet, despite centuries of archaeological discovery, much of Egypt’s ancient world remains shrouded in mystery and thousands of its treasures lie scattered across museums and private collections abroad.
Over the centuries, Egypt’s immense cultural wealth has made it a constant target for looters and collectors. Thousands of artefacts were smuggled out of the country, particularly during the colonial era and the early decades of archaeological exploration. In recent years, however, Egypt has intensified efforts to bring these treasures home. Between 2014 and today, authorities have successfully repatriated numerous artefacts that were illicitly removed.
With the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum on November 1, 2025, public attention has once again turned to the fate of those artefacts still abroad. The museum’s unveiling has ignited a renewed sense of pride and sparked new campaigns aimed at reclaiming Egypt’s heritage.
Among the ideas gaining traction is a creative proposal to virtually display Egypt’s smuggled artifacts inside the Grand Egyptian Museum itself. The concept, which has been circulating on social media for months, suggests using cutting-edge digital tools to recreate missing pieces of the nation’s history within its newest cultural landmark.
One of the voices championing this vision is Dr. Mohamed El-Mazyoudi, a specialist in programming and artificial intelligence. Inspired by the growing online discussion, El-Mazyoudi used AI-based design tools to digitally reconstruct stolen Egyptian artifacts. Each recreated piece is accompanied by a short description detailing its history, where it currently resides, and how it was removed from Egypt.
“The idea of displaying Egypt’s smuggled artifacts in the Grand Egyptian Museum has been discussed on social media for some time,” he said. “It’s been well received by many, and people have even added new suggestions — such as creating a digital registry or using hologram technology to display the artifacts in a dedicated section of the museum.”
According to El-Mazyoudi, such a display would give visitors the chance to see, even virtually the Egyptian treasures that remain overseas and to understand that these objects are part of Egypt’s rightful heritage. “It would remind people that these pieces belong to us,” he explained, “and that efforts are ongoing to bring them back.”
Using a combination of AI tools, El-Mazyoudi generated detailed images of smuggled artifacts by feeding the programs with historical data, photos, and descriptions of their current locations. The results, shared widely on social media, have drawn significant engagement from Egyptians who want to know what has been taken and where it now resides.
During the Grand Egyptian Museum’s inauguration, visitors were also treated to a symbolic display featuring digital representations of several Egyptian obelisks currently standing abroad, an initiative that resonated strongly with the public. El-Mazyoudi believes that if his concept can be implemented legally, it could become a powerful form of cultural diplomacy, drawing attention to Egypt’s rightful ownership of its heritage.
“This idea could serve as a form of soft pressure,” he said. “It would not only educate Egyptians and international visitors but also remind the world that these treasures are part of our identity and deserve to return home one day.”
