You may be wondering how so many of Egypt’s treasures ended up so far away. From the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, archaeologists from Europe traveled to Egypt. They searched for valuable objects from the past. 

    European museums often paid for these trips. They wanted to build their collections. The trips turned up dazzling relics. Archaeologists found beautiful statues, detailed carvings, and more. 

    Some of these artifacts were removed from Egypt with permission. Others were stolen and taken to distant lands. 

    But the details surrounding the removal of many of these objects aren’t clear. That’s true for some of Egypt’s most famous artifacts. 

    How did so many of Egypt’s treasures end up so far away? From the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, archaeologists from Europe traveled to Egypt. They searched for objects from the past.

    European museums often paid for these trips. They wanted to build their collections. Archaeologists found relics, such as statues, carvings, and more.

    Some of them were taken from Egypt with permission. Others were stolen.

    But it’s not clear how some other objects were removed. That’s true for some of Egypt’s most famous artifacts.

    Are you wondering how so many of Egypt’s treasures ended up so far away? Well, from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, archaeologists from Europe traveled to Egypt. There, they searched for valuable objects from the past.

    European museums—with the goal of building their collections—often funded these trips, which turned up dazzling relics. Archaeologists found beautiful statues, detailed carvings, and more.

    Some of these artifacts were removed from Egypt with permission, but others were stolen and taken to distant lands.

    However, the details surrounding the removal of many of these objects—including some of Egypt’s most renowned artifacts—aren’t clear.

    Take the Nefertiti [neh-fer-TEE-tee] statue, for example. 

    In 1912, a German archaeologist named Ludwig Borchardt was digging in Egypt. He found a painted statue of Queen Nefertiti, who lived more than 3,000 years ago. Borchardt had permission to take some items he found back to Germany. But Egyptian officials say the Nefertiti statue wasn’t one of them. They claim he smuggled it out of the country.

    Then there’s the Rosetta Stone—a stone slab carved with text. It’s one of the most important discoveries of all time. It helped experts unlock the mysteries of hieroglyphics. (That’s a type of ancient Egyptian writing.) Both Egypt and England claim it as their own.

    Today the Nefertiti statue sits inside a glass case at a museum in Germany. The Rosetta Stone is on display at a museum in England. Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass believes that’s unfair. For many Egyptians, these objects are a great source of national pride. “Their home should be the Grand Egyptian Museum,” Hawass says. 

    Let’s start with the Nefertiti [neh-fer-TEE-tee] statue.

    In 1912, Ludwig Borchardt was digging in Egypt. He was a German archaeologist. He found a statue of Queen Nefertiti. She lived more than 3,000 years ago. Borchardt had permission to take some items he found back to Germany. But Egyptian officials say he did not have permission to take the Nefertiti statue. They say he smuggled it out of the country.

    Then there’s the Rosetta Stone. It’s a stone slab. It’s carved with text. It’s one of the most important discoveries of all time. It helped experts understand hieroglyphics. (That’s a type of ancient Egyptian writing.) Both Egypt and England claim it as their own.

    Today the Nefertiti statue is at a museum in Germany. The Rosetta Stone is at a museum in England. Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass says that’s unfair. For many Egyptians, these objects are a source of national pride. “Their home should be the Grand Egyptian Museum,” Hawass says.

    Take the Nefertiti [neh-fer-TEE-tee] statue, for example.

    In 1912, a German archaeologist named Ludwig Borchardt was digging in Egypt. He found a painted statue of Queen Nefertiti, who lived more than 3,000 years ago. Borchardt had permission to take some items he found back to Germany, but Egyptian officials say the Nefertiti statue wasn’t among them. They claim he smuggled it out of the country.

    Then there’s the Rosetta Stone—a stone slab carved with text. It’s one of the most important discoveries of all time because it helped experts unlock the mysteries of hieroglyphics, a type of ancient Egyptian writing. Both Egypt and England claim the slab as their own.

    Today the Nefertiti statue sits inside a glass case at a museum in Germany, and the Rosetta Stone is on display at a museum in England. Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass believes that’s unfair. For many Egyptians, these objects are a great source of national pride. “Their home should be the Grand Egyptian Museum,” Hawass says.

    Not everyone agrees though. Some people believe the artifacts should stay in their current homes. Why? They say the relics get more attention in other countries. For example, the Rosetta Stone stands out at the museum in England. It’s one of a kind there. But Egypt has 22 similar objects that have helped experts understand hieroglyphics.

    Another argument is that many of these important artifacts are on display in the world’s biggest cities. A lot of people visit those museums. This can spark a deeper interest in Egypt. It might even inspire those visitors to travel to Egypt next. 

    Salima Ikram is an Egyptologist. (That’s someone who studies ancient Egypt.) She supports the return of the country’s key artifacts. However, she agrees that some of Egypt’s treasures should be on display around the world. “These artifacts make people want to visit Egypt and learn more about it,” she says.  “They inform, inspire, and delight people.”

    Over the past decade, about 30,000 relics have been returned to Egypt. Among them were artifacts that had long been in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States. 

    For many Egyptians, this is a hopeful sign. 

    “We cannot change the past,” says Egyptologist Monica Hanna. “But we can correct it.” 

    Not everyone agrees though. Some people say the artifacts should stay where they are now. Why? They say the relics get more attention in other countries. The Rosetta Stone stands out at the museum in England. It’s one of a kind there. But Egypt has 22 similar carved stones.

    Plus, many of these artifacts are on display in the world’s biggest cities. Many people visit those museums. They might become interested in Egypt. They might travel to Egypt next.

    Salima Ikram is an Egyptologist. (That’s someone who studies ancient Egypt.) She thinks the country’s key artifacts should be returned to Egypt. But she agrees that some items should stay on display around the world. “These artifacts make people want to visit Egypt and learn more about it,” she says. “They inform, inspire, and delight people.”

    Over the past decade, about 30,000 relics have been returned to Egypt. Some of them had been in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States.

    For many Egyptians, this brings hope.

    “We cannot change the past,” says Egyptologist Monica Hanna. “But we can correct it.” 

    Not everyone agrees though. Some people believe the artifacts should stay in their current homes. Why? They say the relics receive more attention in other countries. For example, the Rosetta Stone stands out at the museum in England, where it is one of a kind. In contrast, Egypt has 22 similar objects that have helped experts understand hieroglyphics.

    Another argument is that many of these important artifacts are on display in the world’s biggest cities. A great many people visit those museums, and seeing the artifacts there can spark a deeper interest in Egypt. It might even inspire those visitors to travel to Egypt next.

    Salima Ikram is an Egyptologist, someone who studies ancient Egypt. She supports the return of the country’s key artifacts. However, she agrees that some of Egypt’s treasures should be on display around the world. “These artifacts make people want to visit Egypt and learn more about it,” she says. “They inform, inspire, and delight people.”

    Over the past decade, about 30,000 relics have been returned to Egypt. Among them were artifacts that had long been in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States.

    For many Egyptians, this is a hopeful sign.

    “We cannot change the past,” says Monica Hanna, an Egyptologist. “But we can correct it.”