9
Belgian authorities have returned two ancient Egyptian artifacts, including a striking gilded sarcophagus, after years of legal and diplomatic negotiations. The objects were seized in Brussels in 2015 following an alert from Interpol, after investigators found they lacked proper documentation and were likely smuggled from Egypt. The sarcophagus, dating to the Ptolemaic period, features divine imagery associated with Osiris, suggesting its owner was a high-status Egyptian male. A wooden ceremonial beard from the Middle Kingdom was also repatriated. This successful repatriation highlights ongoing global efforts to combat antiquities trafficking and follows the return of 36 artifacts from the United States in November.
artnet