Stolen ancient Egyptian artefacts recovered

An anthropoid sarcophagus and other ancient Egyptian artefacts are recovered by the Tourism and Antiquities Police

By Nevine El-Aref , Friday 28 Oct 2011

Following comprehensive investigations carried out by the Tourism and Antiquities Police (TAP), a collection of missing ancient Egyptian artefacts were recovered buried by antiquity smugglers in the desert south of Saqqara necropolis.

According to a release submitted by TAP, the restituted collection includes of an anthropoid painted wood sarcophagus, two wooden statues depicting the god Ptah and seven pieces of inscribed limestone which were parts of a false door. The objects were stolen from Saqqara necropolis and taken out of the archaeological space in order to be sold.

An archaeological committee approved the authenticity of the items which, after their release from the TAP, will be subjected to restoration and study before being returned.

Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/25317/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Stolen-ancient-Egyptian-artefacts-recovered.aspx