Latest news with #Ptolemaic
Al-Ahram Weekly
7 days ago
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Sohag's 1,800-year-old Tomb of the Towers reopens to public after restoration - Ancient Egypt
The 1,800-year-old Roman-era Tomb of the Towers, known for its rare zodiac ceiling, has reopened to the public in the ancient city of Athribis, located in Nagaa El-Sheikh Hamad, west of Sohag, following a year-long restoration by Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). The project is part of a broader national strategy to revive Egypt's cultural heritage and expand tourism offerings, particularly in Upper Egypt. Dating to the second century AD, the tomb belonged to two brothers, Ip Pamani and Pa Mehyt, sons of Hor Nefer and Tashret Hor Segem. Known as the Tomb of the Towers for its painted ceiling depicting two zodiac towers—each symbolizing one of the deceased—the site is notable for its vivid astronomical scenes and richly ornamented funerary imagery. The restoration covered both the antechamber and triangular burial chamber, which features a western wall burial niche. A team from the SCA conducted a full condition assessment before beginning work to restore the tomb according to internationally recognized standards. The process, according to the head of the Central Department for Conservation and Restoration, Manal El-Gannamm, included mechanical and chemical cleaning of the walls and ceiling, consolidation of flaking pigments and plaster, and reconstruction of missing sections using compatible materials. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, praised the professionalism of the team and emphasized the council's ongoing commitment to documentation and conservation across Egypt. He described heritage preservation as a "national responsibility that requires coordinated and sustained efforts,' adding that projects like this transform heritage into an educational and developmental resource. 'These restoration projects are not only vital for preserving our heritage, but also for enhancing the tourism experience, supporting local communities, and fostering sustainable economic growth,' stated Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy. The tomb was first documented more than 150 years ago and excavated by British archaeologist Sir Flinders Petrie in 1906–1907. Athribis itself, part of the ninth Upper Egyptian nome, is a key archaeological site that played a significant role in the region's late Ptolemaic history and the early development of monasticism. The sprawling site includes temples, cemeteries, quarries, industrial workshops, hermit cells, a convent, and a sixth-century church. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Independent
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Egypt recovers two smuggled artifacts from Belgium
Egypt's Ambassador to Belgium Ahmed Abu Zeid has received two smuggled artifacts in an official ceremony held at the Art and History Museum in Brussels. The move comes in light of the existing cooperation and coordination between the Egyptian Embassy in Brussels and the Belgian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy, as well as the federal prosecutor's office of Belgium, which resulted in recovering two ancient Egyptian items, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Friday 11/7/2025. The first artifact is a gilded wooden sarcophagus from the Ptolemaic era, while the other ancient piece is a beard of a wooden statue dating back to the ancient Egyptian civilization. Speaking at the ceremony, Abu Zeid said that Egypt attaches great importance to restoring all smuggled artifacts in accordance with the 1970 UNESCO Convention, extending thanks to Belgium's authorities for their cooperation in recovering the two relics. The ambassador stated that he looks forward to fostering collaboration with the Belgian government in retrieving Egyptian antiquities and raising awareness about the significance of countering the illicit trafficking of cultural property, which represents the common human heritage of the world.
See - Sada Elbalad
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt's Emb. in Belgium Successfully Reclaims Two Ancient Artifacts
ali abo deshish In an official ceremony held at the Museum of Art and History in the Belgian capital, Ahmed Abu Zeid, Egypt's In an official ceremony held at the Museum of Art and History in the Belgian capital, Ahmed Abu Zeid, Egypt's Ambassador to Belgium received two ancient Egyptian artifacts, marking the beginning of their return to Egypt. to Belgium received two ancient Egyptian artifacts, marking the beginning of their return to Egypt. This achievement comes as part of ongoing collaboration between the Egyptian Embassy in Brussels, the Belgian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy, and the Belgian Public Prosecutor's Office. The successful recovery of these two invaluable pieces includes a wooden coffin dating back to the Ptolemaic era (between the 3rd and 1st centuries BCE), inscribed with gilded writings and drawings, and a wooden beard from a statue belonging to ancient Egyptian civilization. In his speech during the celebration, Abu Zeid expressed his pride at the return of these precious artifacts to Egypt. He emphasized the significance of the Egyptian government and people's ongoing commitment to recovering looted Egyptian antiquities from abroad. The Ambassador also extended his gratitude to the Belgian authorities for their cooperation in facilitating the return of these items. The ambassador highlighted the cultural and historical importance of these artifacts as representations of the artistic brilliance of Egyptian civilization through the ages. He expressed his hope to continue working closely with Belgian counterparts to strengthen cooperation in the field of artifact repatriation, and to raise awareness about the importance of combating the illicit trade in cultural property. He emphasized that Egypt is fully dedicated to recovering all of its smuggled antiquities, in line with the 1970 UNESCO Convention. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
Middle East
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Egypt recovers two smuggled artifacts from Belgium
CAIRO, July 11 (MENA) - Egypt's Ambassador to Belgium Ahmed Abu Zeid has received two smuggled artifacts in an official ceremony held at the Art and History Museum in Brussels. The move comes in light of the existing cooperation and coordination between the Egyptian Embassy in Brussels and the Belgian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy, as well as the federal prosecutor's office of Belgium, which resulted in recovering two ancient Egyptian items, according to a statement released by the foreign ministry on Friday. The first artifact is a gilded wooden sarcophagus from the Ptolemaic era, while the other ancient piece is a beard of a wooden statue dating back to the ancient Egyptian civilization. Speaking at the ceremony, Abu Zeid said Egypt attaches great importance to restoring all smuggled artifacts in accordance with the UNESCO 1970 Convention, extending thanks to Belgium's authorities for their cooperation in recovering the two relics. The ambassador stated he looks forward to fostering collaboration with the Belgian government in retrieving Egyptian antiquities and raising awareness about the significance of countering the illicit trafficking of cultural property, which represents the common human heritage of the world. (MENA) M R E/R E E
Al Etihad
11-07-2025
- Al Etihad
Belgium returns 2,000-year-old sarcophagus to Egypt
12 July 2025 00:32 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (AFP)Belgian authorities on Friday said they had handed over a roughly 2,000-year-old sarcophagus to Egypt, a decade after it was seized by police in said the artefact -- along with a piece of an ancient wooden beard -- was presented to the Egyptian ambassador at a ceremony in the Belgian capital."After 10 years of investigation and proceedings, it is a true act of justice to return to its country of origin an item that was misappropriated from its heritage," said Julien Moinil, the Brussels public artefacts were seized by Belgian police in 2015 after Interpol issued a notice following a request from a court in Egypt, prosecutors were housed in the meantime at the Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels.A statement said that the wooden sarcophagus, which dates back to the Ptolemaic period between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, "undoubtedly belonged to a member of Egyptian high society"."The choice of materials and the meticulous execution bear witness to exceptional craftsmanship," it said. It added that hieroglyphics on the sarcophagus made it possible to identify the former occupant as a man called Pa-di-Hor-pa-khered and that he was portrayed as having transformed into Osiris, god of the underworld.
