After a week of studies and analysis, the Ministry of Antiquities has confirmed the authenticity of an Ancient Egyptian Ushabti figurine newly recovered from Mexico.
Shabab Abdel-Gawad, the head of the Antiquities Repatriation Department, told Ahram Online that the statuette was found one month ago by Mexican citizen at his newly purchased house. The citizen handed over the statuette to the Egyptian embassy in Mexico.
After its return to Egypt, the artefact was studied by an archaeological committee of curators and restorers from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.
Abdel-Gawad says that the artefact, which has been dated to the 19th dynasty, was smuggled out of the country following illegal excavation.
The statuette is carved in wood and engraved with hieroglyphic text showing the deceased name “Ra-Nes” and that "he was honest"
The artefact is currently undergoing restoration at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.
