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Egyptian Museum recovers artifacts looted during uprising

14 February 2011 19:17 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Cairo’s Egyptian Museum has recovered two valuable artifacts stolen during recent protests, Minister of State for Antiquities Zahi Hawass said on Monday, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.

For 18 days Cairo’s central Tahrir Square was the epicenter of mass protests demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, 82, who ruled Egypt for almost 30 years. On Friday, Mubarak stepped down and handed power to the country’s Higher Military Council.

Eight objects were looted from the Egyptian Museum, which is located on the square, on January 28 when clashes began.

The recovered items are a Heart Scarab and a small Ushabti statue, Hawass said in a statement.

Nine suspected looters have been detained.

At least some of the missing items may be buried on the museum grounds, Hawass said.