The Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening has reignited calls for the restitution of the iconic Nefertiti bust, which has been housed in Berlin’s Neues Museum since 1913. The bust, discovered by a German archaeological team led by Ludwig Borchardt, is a global symbol of beauty, power, and mystery, fascination figures such as Hitler, Beyonce, and Arab Spring activists. As the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, Nefertiti ruled over 3,300 years ago, and her fame endures due to the discovery of the painted stucco-coated limestone bust.

The bust’s removal from Egypt and subsequent display in Berlin has been a point of contention, with restitution claims beginning shortly after its discovery. The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum has added momentum to these calls, with visitors being asked to sign a petition initiated by Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Zahi Hawass. The petition calls on German authorities to acknowledge the artifact’s history and return it to Cairo.

German authorities have maintained that the bust was acquired legally, citing the division of finds between Egypt and Germany at the time of its discovery. However, Egyptian researcher Monica Hanna contests this claim, arguing that Borchardt intentionally downplayed the bust’s value to secure it for Germany. Historians Sebastian Conrad and Jürgen Zimmerer also question the ethical validity of the law under which the bust was acquired, citing the unequal power relations of the imperialist era.

Despite Germany’s position that there is no official restitution claim from the Egyptian government, Hanna points out that Egyptian authorities have requested the bust’s return since its public display in Berlin in 1924. In 1925, Egypt threatened to ban German excavations unless the bust was returned, and philanthropist James Simon, who financed Borchardt’s excavations, attempted to negotiate its return. However, these efforts were blocked by Hitler, who admired the bust and refused to relinquish it.

Germany has also argued that the bust is too fragile to be transported back to Egypt, but historian Sebastian Conrad notes that it has already survived several journeys, including being stored in a plastic bag during World War II. As Berlin engages in the restitution of colonial objects, including the return of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, the question of Nefertiti’s return remains a fundamental one. Historians believe that alternatives, such as exhibiting a reproduction of the bust with its history and restitution efforts, could be a compelling solution, rather than holding on to the original and profiting from its “aura of authenticity” tainted by colonial injustice.