Egypt to retrieve smuggled Akhenaton sarcophagus base on January 25
Egypt, Local, 1/17/2002

Egypt will stage a ceremonial reception for the lost base of the sarcophagus of the 18th Dynasty King Akhenaton on January 25. The base was smuggled out of the country 100 years ago and was found at the basement of the Munich Museum.

The museum offered to restore the piece and showcase it together with five pieces of Akhenaton collection for three months before returning it to Egypt.

The five pieces, sent by the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to Munich Museum to be shown along with the sarcophagus comprise the lost surface cover of the King's mummy box, one of the sacred urns that was used in the mummification process tableau depicting King Ai, a four-meter high statue for Akhenton and a mud plate inscribed with magic jargon.

Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni assigned Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Gaballah Ali Gaballah to receive the base in a ceremony to be held at the Fine Arts Museum in Munich on January 22.

A constellation of notables and earnest Egyptologists will be attending.

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