Egypt Demands Return of Nefertiti Bust from Germany

After 20 years of construction, the Grand Egyptian Museum has opened, intensifying Egypt’s demands for the return of artifacts looted by former imperialist nations. In particular, the Washington Post, WP, reported that calls for the repatriation of the Nefertiti bust housed at Berlin’s New Museum in Germany have grown louder.

Nefertiti (around 1370–1330 BCE) was the queen of Akhenaten, the tenth king of Egypt’s 18th dynasty. She was the adoptive mother and mother-in-law of Tutankhamun and held such power that there are theories suggesting she ascended to the throne as pharaoh after Akhenaten’s death. The name Nefertiti means “a beautiful woman has come.” As her name suggests, her beauty, regarded as the most beautiful queen in ancient Egypt, can be confirmed through the bust unearthed in the early 20th century. Her elegantly elongated neck, distinct facial features, and sharp jawline exemplify the graceful and strong beauty of a woman.

Why is this masterpiece in Germany? In 1912, German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt excavated the bust from the workshop of Thutmose in Amarna and took it to Germany. It has been on display as a flagship piece at the Berlin New Museum since 2009. While the German side claims there are no legal issues with how the Nefertiti bust was acquired, the WP pointed out potential controversies. Despite British authorities, who colonized Egypt, stipulating that any discovered artifacts should be split equally with Egypt, Borchardt allegedly deceived a French official enforcing this regulation to export the bust. The WP added that Borchardt was aware he had to relinquish the bust and did not publicly display it for a decade after moving it to Germany, further supporting claims of unauthorized export.