Egyptian Archaeologist Launches Petition to Return Nefertiti from Germany

The famed painted limestone bust of Queen Nefertiti was discovered in 1912 at Tell el-Amarna, approximately 300 km south of Cairo, by a German archaeological mission. The bust, considered one of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian art, was shipped to Berlin the following year, where it has since been a centerpiece at the Neues Museum.

Nefertiti, the wife of the 18th dynasty Pharaoh Akhenaten, ruled during a time of significant cultural and religious transformation in ancient Egypt. Akhenaten, often referred to as the “heretic king,” introduced the worship of the god Aten, sidelining Egypt’s traditional gods and ushering in radical shifts in artistic expression.

Hawass, who is spearheading this campaign, argues that the bust was removed from Egypt illegally. “We announce today that Egypt, through this national committee – not a government body – is asking for the return of the bust of Nefertiti,” Hawass declared. He urged supporters to join the cause by signing the petition on his website, hawasszahi.com, demonstrating the global desire to see the artifact restored to Egypt.

Sign The Petition To return the bust of Nefertiti

Sign The Petition to Return Rosetta Stone and the Zodiac

The petition is part of a broader campaign led by Hawass to repatriate “three main beautiful objects”: the bust of Nefertiti, the Rosetta Stone, and the Dendera Zodiac. These artifacts are seen as symbols of Egypt’s rich heritage and history, and their return is viewed as crucial for national pride.

Hawass emphasised that his efforts are focused only on items removed from Egypt under questionable circumstances, rather than artifacts that were legally exported. His aim is to correct historical wrongs and bring back significant cultural treasures that belong in Egypt.

At the time of writing, officials from the Neues Museum had not responded to the petition.

This initiative adds to the growing global conversation around the repatriation of cultural artifacts, as nations increasingly demand the return of items taken during periods of colonialism or questionable historical agreements. Hawass’s call for the return of these treasures highlights Egypt’s ongoing efforts to reclaim key pieces of its cultural heritage.