CAIRO, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has retrieved 13 illegally smuggled artifacts from the United States, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said Friday in a statement.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the recovery is part of Egypt's national strategy to preserve its unique cultural heritage.
He reaffirmed the country's commitment to recovering all smuggled antiquities through all available means and in cooperation with international partners to ensure the protection of this human legacy for future generations.
The recovered items include a diverse array of vessels used for various purposes, according to Director General of Antiquities Repatriation Department Shaaban Abdel-Gawad.
Notable items include an alabaster jar for oils and perfumes dating back to the 7th century BC, a New Kingdom monkey-shaped kohl container, and a Middle Kingdom cosmetic jar shaped like a cat, among others, he said.
The latest repatriation marks another success for Egypt's global campaign to reclaim stolen heritage. Over the past few years, the country has recovered tens of thousands of smuggled antiquities from different countries. ■
