Looted Antiquities

Greece would love Britain to return to them, as the rightful heritage owners, the Elgin Marbles. Italy would very much appreciate the 'return' to them of a prized sculpture by Bernini, which Canadians have ensconced at the National Gallery. And Egypt would far prefer to be in possession of its marvellous ancient treasures than to have them in the possession of foreign countries which themselves treasure what they have.

Egypt and its treasures; the fabulous Sphinx which suffered the indignity of being shot at by Napoleon's invading forces.

And adventurers-cum-archaeologists like Giovanni Belzoni, a former circus strongman who became fascinated with adventure and thought of himself as an archaeologist, who adventured into Egypt and took it upon himself to dig and destroy and loot and sell to international buyers eager to obtain the fabulous historical treasures of ancient Egypt from him, as the then-compliant Egyptian government stood by.

Belzoni and others like him even used explosives to blast apart immense structures to obtain the pieces they wanted.

And when it came to tomb-robbing, there was no one as courageous, audacious and adventurous as ancient tomb robbers, Egyptians themselves, who, despite the belief in curses that would destroy the lives of those who disturbed the fabulous treasures buried with noblemen and noblewomen and wealthy dynastic Egyptians and their Pharaohs, did just that. Looting the ancient tombs of all they could see of value.

In some instances that looting took place soon after the burials, and for centuries after, up to the present time. Ancient architects of tombs tried their utmost to confound the thieves by clever distracting devices, hidden areas, and mysterious tunnels blocked by great stones no human enterprise could budge. Despite all the subterfuges and clever hidden entrances, most tombs were ransacked of their valuables.

The tomb of Akhenaten was destroyed by vandals who had the blessing of the ruling dynasty that followed Akhenaten. Who was despised by most of the ruling class for the unorthodoxy of his rule, adhering to his belief in one single god, rejecting the classic mythology of a panoply of gods, a belief sacred to Egypt. Reverence for the god Aten, the life-giving sun, died with the death of Akhenaten.

A rare exception was the tomb of the boy-king, Tutankhamen. Whose tomb, uncovered and entered by Howard Carter in 1922, was the best preserved and most intact pharaonic tomb ever found. Even though it was suspected to have been broken into twice previously, in antiquity.

The Egyptian Museum, which prides itself on its national heritage and the treasures it has amassed, has released information that its inventory count of treasures have been found to be missing some key and critical treasures. Priceless antiquities dating from the 13th Century BC have been looted. When, it was assumed, dedicated and knowledgeable thieves entered the museum through a skylight in the confusion surrounding the anti-regime protesters assembled on Tahrir Square, adjacent the Museum.

"An investigation has begun to search for the people who have taken these objects, and the police and the army plan to follow up with the criminals already in custody", stated Zahi Hawass, head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. "I have said if the Egyptian Museum is safe, then Egypt is safe. However, I am now concerned Egypt is not safe", he stated on his official web site. The pride of the country's past has been once again looted.

Eighteen priceless antiquities, two statues of Tutankhamen included, taken, among other wonderful ancient objects of art and antiquity. Aside from those missing objects, around 70 are said to have been damaged. International art collectors whose greed and zest to take possession of rare and beautiful heritage objects will be approached by dealers in the illicit who know their potential customers.

The ancient trade of grave robbers is still alive and doing very well for itself in the very grey market of rare and outstanding works of art and antiquities for those who will pay, and not enquire as to provenance and legality.

Egypt is not safe.