description Nefertiti Bust Overview
The Nefertiti Bust is a remarkably well-preserved limestone sculpture depicting Queen Nefertiti, Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten. Crafted around 1345 BC during the Amarna period, it’s notable for its exquisite detail and believed representation of Nefertiti as a divine figure. The bust offers invaluable insight into Egyptian royal portraiture and is studied by art historians and Egyptologists examining ancient religious beliefs and artistic techniques.
help Nefertiti Bust FAQ
Where is the Nefertiti Bust currently displayed?
The Nefertiti Bust is housed in the Neues Museum (New Museum) on Museum Island in Berlin, Germany, where it has been displayed since the museum reopened in 2009. The bust has remained in German possession since its discovery over a century ago.
Who discovered the Nefertiti Bust and when?
The bust was discovered on December 6, 1912, by a German archaeological team led by Ludwig Borchardt during excavations at Amarna, the ancient capital built by Pharaoh Akhenaten. Borchardt found it in the workshop of the ancient sculptor Thutmose, remarkably intact after more than three millennia.
How old is the Nefertiti Bust?
The bust was crafted around 1345 BC during the Amarna period of ancient Egypt's 18th Dynasty, making it approximately 3,360 years old. It depicts Queen Nefertiti, the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, and is celebrated for its exceptional preservation and lifelike detail.
Why does Egypt want the Nefertiti Bust returned from Germany?
The Egyptian government has repeatedly requested the bust's repatriation, arguing that Ludwig Borchardt may have deliberately misled Egyptian antiquities authorities about the artifact's significance when it was taken to Germany under a 1913 partage agreement. Germany maintains that the acquisition was legally valid and has refused to return the bust.
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