Nefertiti

The Egyptian government maintains an agreement with foreign powers that all archaeological material found in Egyptian soil shall be divided equally between Egypt and the finder. Equal division in quantity is relatively simple, but equal division in quality offers great problems. In 1912 German Archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt quietly extracted from Tel-el-Amarna, and removed to Berlin, a gracile bust of Queen Nefertiti which was more precious to Egyptians than tons of jeweled bric-a-brac. First, it was supposed to possess magical properties. Second, it was pronounced by worldwide experts to be among the loveliest creations of the ancient dynasties. For a few dollars, the Berlin museum supplied plaster reproductions (colored) to all who asked. Innumerable Egyptians became enraged, challenged Germany's right to possession, hotly attacked Archaeologist Borchardt. The debate continued until last week, when Egyptian ire was cooled by Ger many's decision to return Queen Nefertiti to her native land, to accept several other rarities in exchange. Nefertiti was the wife of the pharaoh Ikhnaton, whom she espoused in the 14th Century B. C. She bore him no sons: the name of their son-in-law, Tutankhamun, an effete dilettante famed for the extravagant manner of his burial, is known to every bright U. S. schoolchild. More vital is the significance of Ikhnaton for he was the first recorded monotheist. In a regal frenzy he repudiated Ammon. deity of wealth and power, consecrated himself solely to Aton. the blinding disc of the sun. His was a short-lived but intense faith. Among its effects was the temporary liberation of Egyptian art from its stilted conventions. The bust of Nefertiti, for example, has naturalistically painted eyes, apparently follows the Queen's true tints and contours.

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