Authorities recover rare artifact

CAIRO – 19 August 2017: A granite statue has been retrieved after a smuggling attempt was foiled in Assiut on Saturday.

Proven to be a rare artifact, the statue is made from granite and is 37 cm high portraying one of the ancient priests during a state of worship. The statue also has hieroglyphic writings carved on it with names of famous priests and gods such as Amon and Tigan, who was known as the god of earth.

The statue has been previously found underneath one of the homes located in the governorate and was being smuggled across borders alongside with weapons and drugs, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Antiquities.