Egypt Daily News – Zahi Hawass former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities has launched a campaign advocating for the return of the iconic bust of the pharaonic queen Nefertiti, currently housed in the Neues Museum in Berlin.
In an effort to gather support, Hawass has created a petition on his official website, urging individuals to sign in favor of the bust’s repatriation (https://www.hawasszahi.com/).
The renowned bust, made of limestone, was uncovered by a German archaeological expedition in Amarna in 1912 and transported to Berlin the following year. Amarna was the capital established by Nefertiti’s husband, Akhenaten, during his reign in the Eighteenth Dynasty, around 1353-1336 BC.
Akhenaten, known as “the heretic king,” instigated significant religious reforms favoring the worship of the sun god Aten, which also led to notable changes in Egyptian art.
In the petition, Hawass asserts that the bust was removed from Egypt illegally, emphasizing the importance of returning this significant piece of cultural heritage.
He characterized the campaign as a “national committee” initiative rather than a governmental one, encouraging people to visit his website and lend their support through signatures.
Hawass’s campaign also includes efforts to recover other significant artifacts, specifically the Rosetta Stone and the Dendera Temple. As of now, officials from the Neues Museum have not commented on Hawass’s petition.
