Egyptian archaeological excavations have long been a subject of ethical debate, particularly concerning repatriation practices and their impact on local communities and cultural heritage. The study employs semi-structured interviews with a sample of 20 African visual arts practitioners to gather insights into their experiences and viewpoints regarding archaeological excavations and repatriation practices in Egypt. Themes emerged from the data include concerns about the authenticity of artifacts, the impact on local communities, and the balance between scientific research and cultural preservation. Notably, 75% of interviewees expressed reservations about the speed at which repatriated items are returned to their countries of origin. Findings suggest a need for more transparent communication channels between archaeologists, curators, and local communities when handling repatriation cases in Egypt. Recommendations include establishing clear guidelines for artifact authentication and fostering dialogue between stakeholders to ensure respectful and ethical practices in archaeological excavations and repatriation processes.
Al-Naqvi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.