Sonbol denies allegation of using black cement to restore Ramses III

CAIRO - 14 June 2019: Head of the Central Department of Restoration and Conservation of Antiquities Gharib Sonbol has stated that Egypt’s antiquities and monuments are in safe hands.

Egypt successfully restored a lot of archaeological artifacts and monuments during the past ten years, despite the existence of counter-campaigns aimed at destroying these efforts.

Sonbol clarified during a phone call on DMC channel that the image spread on social media showing the face of the statue of Ramses III being restored using black cement is fake, pointing out that the statue is undergoing a complete scientific restoration in accordance with international conventions on maintenance.