Renowned Egyptian archaeologist and former antiquities minister, Zahi Hawass, has initiated a petition advocating for the repatriation of the pharaonic bust of Queen Nefertiti from the Neues Museum in Berlin.
The iconic painted limestone bust of Nefertiti was discovered at Tell el-Amarna in 1912 by a German archaeological mission and subsequently taken to Berlin the following year.
Tell el-Amarna was the brief capital of Nefertiti’s husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten of the 18th dynasty, who ruled until around 1335 B.C.
Akhenaten, known as the heretic king, famously promoted the worship of the god Aten over Egypt’s other deities, leading to a significant transformation in Egyptian art during his reign.
In his petition launched recently, Hawass is requesting the return of the bust, citing its unlawful removal from Egypt after its discovery.
“Today, we, the national committee—not a government entity—of Egypt, are formally requesting the return of the Nefertiti bust,” stated Hawass.
To support the cause, individuals are urged to visit Hawass’s website at hawasszahi.com and sign the petition for the return of the bust.
Hawass clarified that his campaign is specifically focused on repatriating “three significant artifacts,” which include the bust of Nefertiti, the Rosetta Stone, and the Dendera Zodiac, and not on legally acquired artifacts taken out of Egypt.
At present, representatives from the Neues Museum in Berlin have not issued any statements regarding the petition.
