The eThekwini Municipality announced yesterday, Wednesday January 17, that it would be repatriating the mummified remains of the Egyptian minor priest, Peten-Amun back to his rightful resting place in Egypt. The mummy was acquired by the Durban Museum between 1889 and 1910.
After extensive deliberation, the city acknowledged the significance of returning the mummy to its country of origin and honouring its cultural and historical importance to the people of Egypt, said eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana.
“The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the South African Heritage Resources Agency will provide support to the city in the repatriation process, ensuring that the Mummy is returned to Egypt with the utmost respect and care,” she added.
The decision to repatriate the mummy comes after a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding its presence in Durban, which remain unclear, said Ms Sisilana.
Dr Simphiwe Ndlovu, Head of Parks, Recreation and Culture, said the repatriation process, expected to take place during the course of the 2024/2025 financial year, would be conducted in close co-ordination with Egyptian authorities and in adherence with national and international protocols governing the return of cultural heritage items to their countries of origin.
“The mummy and coffin date back to the Late Dynastic or Early Ptolemaic period (about 300 BCE) and contain the remains of an Egyptian minor priest named Peten-Amun (Ptn-‘Imn), who came originally from Akhmim (Akhmîm), about 354 kilometres from Cairo, Egypt,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“There are no cost implications to the city at this stage for the repatriation process. The city remains committed to upholding principles of cultural preservation, respect for diversity and ethical stewardship of historical artefacts. This process reflects our dedication to fostering positive and respectful relationships with nations and communities around the world.”
