Egypt retrieves ancient statue smuggled to Mexico

Cairo, Sep 7 (IANS) Egypt retrieved an ancient funerary statuette that was smuggled to Mexico after being illegally excavated, officials announced on Wednesday.

The Egyptian Ministry of State for Antiquities confirmed the piece's archaeological status and indicated that it dated back to the era of the ninth dynasty of ancient Egypt, Efe news reported.

A Mexican citizen handed the piece over to the Egyptian embassy in Mexico, an official said.

The official added that the man found the statuette in an apartment that he had purchased.

The official added that a committee examined the piece with ultraviolet rays and other devices to confirm its archaeological status.

The statuette, which carries hieroglyphic inscriptions, is a small funerary figurine made out of wood.