The Netherlands has announced its intention to return a significant 3,500-year-old sculpture to Egypt. This ancient stone head, originating from the era of Pharaoh Thutmose III, is strongly believed to have been looted during the period of the Arab Spring in 2011 or 2012. The Dutch Information & Heritage Inspectorate confirmed this assessment.
The sculpture reappeared a decade after its suspected theft, surfacing at an arts and antiques fair in Maastricht. Following an anonymous tip, Dutch authorities investigated and confirmed that the artifact was indeed stolen and had been illegally exported.
The commitment to return the sculpture was made by outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof during his attendance at the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza this past weekend. The Dutch government highlighted the sculpture’s immense cultural importance, stating it is “deeply meaningful to Egypt’s identity.”
The dealer voluntarily surrendered the sculpture after being alerted to its illicit origins, underscoring the Netherlands’ dedication to the international return of cultural heritage. The formal handover is expected by the end of the year.
This development coincides with Egypt’s celebration of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening, a monumental project that itself faced delays due to the Arab Spring. The museum houses an extensive collection of 100,000 artifacts, including the complete contents of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Many anticipate that the museum’s opening will further bolster efforts to reclaim other significant antiquities currently housed in museums abroad, such as the Rosetta Stone in London.