Zahi Hawass, the Egyptian minister of antiquities, has revealed that eight objects are missing from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo following anti-government unrest.

The discovery was made after staff at the museum carried out an inventory of objects. As previously reported, about 70 objects were damaged or broken when looters entered the museum on 28 January. These are now undergoing restoration work.

Writing on his blog (www.drhawass.com) on 12 February, Hawass said the inventory revealed the following objects are missing:

  • Gilded wood statue of Tutankhamun being carried by a goddess
  • Gilded wood statue of Tutankhamun harpooning (only the torso and upper limbs of the king are missing)
  • Limestone statue of Akhena
  • Statue of Nefertiti making offerings
  • Sandstone head of an Amarna princess
  • Stone statuette of a scribe from Amarna
  • Wooden shabti statuettes from Yuya (11 pieces)
  • Heart Scarab of Yuya
Hawass writes: “An investigation has begun to search for the people who have taken these objects, and the police and army plan to follow up with the criminals already in custody. I have said if the Egyptian Museum is safe, than Egypt is safe. However, I am now concerned Egypt is not safe.”

According Hawass, 10 people have been held in police custody in relation to the break-in since 28 January, including one individual who was captured inside the museum itself. 

Click here to read a report by Museums Journal about restoration work at the museum