The archaeological unit at Cairo International Airport, in cooperation with the Cairo Airport Police, has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 13 archaeological manuscripts from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, in addition to three scrolls of papyrus, and a template for coin minting of metal with a tughra dating back to the Ottoman era.
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that a committee of specialized archaeologists was formed to examine the archaeological manuscripts.
The Head of the Central Administration of Archaeological Ports and Units in the Egyptian Ports said that the necessary legal measures were taken and the seizures were confiscated.
Malak Noshi, Head of the archaeological committee formed to examine the seizures, said that after examination and inspection, it was found that some of the manuscripts were of Islamic jurisprudence and spiritual medicine by Bishop Michael, Bishop of Atrib, and a manuscript of the Great Lent prayers in Coptic and Arabic.
