The unceasing mysteries of Egypt's antiquities Brussels museum
is to return a stolen 5th dynasty relief Wednesday, April 27,
2005 CAIRO: A Brussels museum will hand over to Egypt a
limestone relief that had been smuggled out of the country more
than 30 years ago, an Egyptian antiquities official said Monday.
The Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels, Belgium, agreed
to return the relief, which was stolen from the Giza tomb of a
5th dynasty priest, Senenu, said Zahi Hawass, the secretary
general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. In return, an
archaeological mission belonging to the museum will be allowed
to continue its work in Egypt, he said. "Exerting scientific
pressure is the most important way of getting back our stolen
antiquities," Hawass said. "We will start a fierce battle with
the museums and the private collectors who have these
antiquities. We won't scientifically deal with those who don't
return them." In recent years, Egypt has been trying, with some
success, to secure the return o