Documenting Nefertiti

 There was a recent article in the German newspaper Der Spiegel about a 1924 document found by the German Oriental Association, whose author implies that the archaeologist who found the famous bust of Nefertiti at Tell el Amarna in 1912, Ludwig Borchardt, used deception to secure the bust for Germany. If this turns out to be true and not just somebody's opinion in 1924, it may help Cairo's call for the return of Nefertiti.

A part of me laughs at the size of that "if", yes, it is a big word and one that I am very fond of myself; however, there has always been the issue that the official of Egypt's antiquities service in charge of the division of finds did not do the job properly. As for what statute of limitations exists in this case, that may perhaps be the bigger issue? Whether those statutes are recognized by either party may be a nest of bureaucracy unto itself.

Add to this, I can see the director of the Neues Museums name being destroyed both academically and publicly scorned in Germany, that the star was handed over on that person's watch? Which other museum would hire that director, or wouldn't other museums fear that if they hired that person, they might do the same to their star pieces?

That is even a side point as to who is going to retrieve it on behalf of Cairo is another nest? Dr. Hawass may have difficulty receiving the proper documents to even enter Germany. So how about the head of UNESCO Irina Bokova, of course, after a smart caviar and champagne lunch.

There is little doubt in me it is unlikely that a small, mismanaged country like Egypt can do anything to impress upon an economic giant like Germany.

So it seems that the 1924 document may not even hold any weight whatsoever, even if it is valid, and it appears unfortunate for Egypt that in the end, laws are meant to be broken, and as grotesque a message as that sends few care when they are standing in front of the beautiful Nefertiti in her beautiful room at the Neues Museum!

The Grand Egyptian Museum

This is an article concerning the third phase of the construction of Egypt's Grand Egyptian Museum, which, when completed, will house 100,000 objects 10 000 of which are already present. The Museum is set to open in 2015.

Djoser's Pyramid

I love the picture in this article about the restoration of what may be the world's oldest pyramid. The pyramid was created in the 3rd dynasty for King Djoser. I hate the idea of diagonally inserted steel rods knitting together a building that has withstood 5000 years without them.

Archaeological Work Resumes

After a pause of many months due to the security situation in Egypt, about a quarter of foreign archaeological expeditions are now back in the field. The last archaeological season showed little coming out of the Valley of Kings, though there is an update on KV64. Also, what appeared to be an intact shaft was found in one of the tombs on Luxor's west bank.

The unfinished avenue of rams linking Karnak with Luxor remains a dubious place to take a wiz or throw your garbage, which has become a real focal issue not only at the avenue of rams but other places around Egypt, particularly archaeological sites. I wonder how the temple of Ptah at Mit Rahina is doing on this issue?

At Giza, once again, the Great Pyramid has caught the public imagination, particularly with robots ascending the pyramid's shafts and current technology being used with great effect in solving the pyramid's construction. Herodotus might be off on this one?

At Saqqara, the world's oldest pyramid is in the process of a multi-million dollar restoration, including removing the debris covering the sarcophagus and over at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, there is a new Secretary-General, Mohammed Abdel Fattah and I think it is a perfect time for a fresh start.