Over one hundred and twenty-five years ago some unknown party smuggled out a 3000-year-old coffin they most likely obtained from excavations in the Egyptian Pharaohs’ tombs. The wooden sarcophagus was plastered and painted in an elaborate fashion, and covered with images and religious inscriptions that were later deciphered and understood to be instructions to aid the soul of the deceased on its journey through the afterlife.
This month American Customs authorities are going to return the coffin to Egypt’s Antiquities Chief Zahi Hawass, after it was confiscated in 2008 from a Spanish merchant by immigration inspectors in Florida, where it had apparently been shipped for sale. The Spanish dealer had no papers proving his ownership of the casket, which prompted investigation.
The US Department of Homeland Security then discovered that the dealer had family ties with the owners of an Egyptian museum in Madrid where it had been a popular exhibit the year before. Last year the authorities in Egypt asked the US to return the coffin to them, as it is very important culturally. It has been dated to the 21st dynasty (1081-931 BC) and holds the mummified remains of a male named Emus. Nothing else is yet known about this mysterious personage but his lavish burial implies his importance.
The Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) is the branch of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture that is responsible for the conservation, protection and regulation of all antiquities and archaeological excavations in their country. It was established in 1859 although its title has changed several times over the years. The SCA is responsible for defining the boundaries around archaeological sites and is also the only agent permitted to restore or preserve Egyptian monuments. All foreign archaeologists working in Egypt are required to report all of their finds before publication, which has led to some of them being expelled when they refused to do so. The Cairo-based SCA also oversees the recovery of antiquities either stolen or illegally exported from Egypt.
Since 2002 about 5000 such antiquities and cherished cultural relics have been returned to Egypt due to the remarkable diligence of the Secretary General of the SCA Chief, Mr Hawass. He will be going to Washington DC in person to reclaim the treasure. We understand that before long he also hopes to retrieve the bust of Queen Nefertiti from the Neues Museum in Germany, the Dendara Zodiac from the Louvre and the Rosetta Stone from the British Museum. With his admirable success so far we think he will succeed in his mission.
Rev the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes AC MLC