Bust of Nefertiti
- Painted Sandstone Bust
- Circa 14th century BC
- Current Location: Neues Museum, Berlin Germany
- Ownership disputed by: Egypt
Nefertiti was an Egyptian queen from 1353 to 1336 B.C. alongside her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten. After twelve years, Nefertiti drops off of the historical record. It is speculated that she either died or may have even been named an official co-regent and went by the name of Neferneferuaten.
In 1913, a team led by German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt discovered the Bust of Nefertiti, buried in rubble on the floor of an excavation site in Amarna, Egypt. Borchardt made an agreement with the Egyptian government to split the excavated artifacts, the bust was shipped to Germany as part of their portion. It is believed that Borchardt misled the Egyptians on the item; A single photograph on the bust was published in the record and there is indication that Borchardt under-scored the importance of the piece in his information so it could be retained by the Germans.
In 1923, the Nefertiti bust was put on display in Berlin, as the interest in Egyptian antiquities rose partly due to the discovery of King Tuts tomb in 1922.
The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities has asked Germany to either give the bust back or compromise and loan the bust on a temporary basis. Germany contends their possession of Nefertiti is legal, and Berlin's Neues Museum curators believe the movement of loaning the bust will cause too much damage. She remains the star attraction at the Neues Museum and attracts an estimated 500,000 people per year.
In 1913, a team led by German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt discovered the Bust of Nefertiti, buried in rubble on the floor of an excavation site in Amarna, Egypt. Borchardt made an agreement with the Egyptian government to split the excavated artifacts, the bust was shipped to Germany as part of their portion. It is believed that Borchardt misled the Egyptians on the item; A single photograph on the bust was published in the record and there is indication that Borchardt under-scored the importance of the piece in his information so it could be retained by the Germans.
In 1923, the Nefertiti bust was put on display in Berlin, as the interest in Egyptian antiquities rose partly due to the discovery of King Tuts tomb in 1922.
The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities has asked Germany to either give the bust back or compromise and loan the bust on a temporary basis. Germany contends their possession of Nefertiti is legal, and Berlin's Neues Museum curators believe the movement of loaning the bust will cause too much damage. She remains the star attraction at the Neues Museum and attracts an estimated 500,000 people per year.