According to the report Egyptian authorities handed in on Sunday, at least 17 major artworks were stolen from The Egyptian Museum (Located in Tahrir Square) during the riots that lasted three weeks in Cairo.
Irina Bokova, director of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) urged national and international authorities and art collectors “to intensify their surveillance” since several important art pieces, including a wooden sculpture of Tutankhamun being transported by a goddess, a statue of Queen Nefertiti making offerings and a sandstone head of a princess from Amarna, have been stolen from The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and in some other locations in the country.
“It is particularly important to verify the origin of cultural property that may be imported, exported and / or offered for sale, especially in Internet,” said Bokova in a statement, “that heritage is part of the history of mankind and Egyptian identity. We must not let it fall into the wrong hands or run the risk of being damaged or, worse, destroyed,” she added.
UNESCO will count with the collaboration of international agencies such as Interpol and World Customs Organization to find the pieces of art.
