Objectifs :
The Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) was established by Presidential Decree No. 82 in 1994, and serves as the primary governing body for protecting and reclaiming Egypt’s cultural heritage. To this end, it acts as the legal representative for the State in matters concerning the repatriation of stolen or illicitly exported artifacts.
Mesures de restitution :
The SCA employs Antiquities Protection Law No. 117 of 1983 (amended 2010, 2018 and 2020) as its legal foundation for claims, focusing on proving provenance and violations of Egyptian law. Its Repatriated Antiquities Department is dedicated to tracking and reclaiming smuggled artifacts. A digital database facilitates the identification and recovery of stolen items. The SCA collaborates with international organizations like UNESCO and various governments to seize smuggled artifacts. It has used diplomatic pressure, including suspending excavation permits, to motivate museums to return disputed pieces. Specialized committees handle repatriated items, verifying authenticity and performing necessary restorations before their return to Egypt.
Limites:
The SCA has largely been active around illicitly trafficked cultural heritage. They have yet to develop a strategy for repatriating ancient Egyptian belongings that were removed from Egypt before 1912, such as the Rosetta Stone.
