Should Queen Nefertiti’s Bust Be Sent Back Home to Egypt?
One of Berlin’s most iconic museum exhibits is the striking bust of Queen Nefertiti, a queen of the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt. Displayed at the Neues Museum on the Museumsinsel, this masterpiece is a must-see for tourists and a global symbol of beauty and power.
Her estimated value? A staggering 400 million Euros!
But behind this celebrated artifact lies a long-standing controversy. Did you know that Queen Nefertiti’s bust, believed to have been created around 1345 BC, was discovered by a German archaeological team in 1912? Like many colonial-era acquisitions, it was swiftly taken from Egypt and transported to Berlin, where it remains to this day.
The Call for Repatriation
Egypt’s former state antiquities minister, Zahi Hawass, reignited the debate in September 2024 by launching a petition demanding the return of Queen Nefertiti’s bust. He argues that the artifact was removed illegally and should be restored to its rightful home in Egypt.
However, Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz, the organization responsible for Berlin’s museum collections, maintains that the bust was acquired legally. But is this claim as solid as it appears?
Examining the Legality of the Acquisition
In the early 1910s, Egypt was under British colonial rule and lacked the resources to conduct excavations. The Egyptian authorities permitted German archaeologists, funded by businessman James Simon, to excavate artifacts. The agreement at the time allowed for a 50:50 split of the 10,000 artifacts found—a common practice before rules changed in 1922 following the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Germany insists that an Egyptian representative fairly selected half the findings, leaving Germany with the other half, which included the now-famous bust of Nefertiti. However, Cairo argues that German Egyptologist Ludwig Borchardt deliberately concealed the bust’s significance and smuggled it out of Egypt. It remained in Simon’s private collection for a decade before being publicly displayed in Berlin in 1924.
A Century of Demands for Return
Egypt’s pursuit of Queen Nefertiti’s return is not new. The first request came in 1920. In 1933, Hitler refused to return the bust, envisioning it as the centerpiece of a grand museum in his mythical Germania. After World War II, King Farouk of Egypt petitioned the Allied Control Council in Germany for its return. In 2011, Zahi Hawass made another formal request on behalf of the Egyptian government.
Germany’s Resistance to Repatriation
The German government has repeatedly dismissed these appeals, citing the fragility of the artifact, concerns over setting a precedent for returning other artifacts, and a lack of legal grounds for repatriation. The official stance of the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz remains firm: “There are no negotiations with Egypt currently to return the statue, which is the property of the Neues Museum in Berlin.”
A Cultural Ambassador or a Colonial Hostage?
Some argue that Queen Nefertiti acts as Egypt’s ambassador in Berlin, showcasing its rich heritage to the world. But Egyptian archaeologist Monica Hanna challenges this narrative:
“An ambassador entails a diplomatic exchange. Has Egypt received anything precious in return? I don’t think we have. If you send an ambassador one way, it’s a hostage,” she told Deutsche Welle.
Beyond museum ticket sales, the bust generates significant revenue. Replicas are sold for 48 Euros each in the museum’s online store. A local newspaper even used her image to market Berlin as a migrant-friendly city.
What Do You Think?
Should Berlin return the bust of Queen Nefertiti to Egypt, acknowledging its colonial past? Or should it continue to hold onto the artifact under historical legal agreements?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!