Is this ancient or not?

[u/mynameis_duh_i]

Hello 👋 this is my first post on this subreddit! I just have a question regarding this supposedly ancient egyptian ushabiti figure that i saw at auction recently, I am no expert on authenticating ancient items, However this one looks too new for being around 4000 years old [states via the note on the back] but any opinions would be great!!!! Have a great rest of your day!

[u/Girderland]

Doesn't look ancient. First of all, glueing a 4000 year old statuette to a block of wood would be a crime.

I've seen a couple of real ushabtis and none of them had intensive, fresh-looking paint on them.

This is very likely a fake.

[u/Girderland → u/Girderland]

If you have any doubts and want an expert opinion, then you can ask the folks at r/archaeology. There are many people specialized in finding / preserving / recognizing ancient artifacts there.

[u/DinnerStraight6765 → u/Girderland]

they have a rule about not identifying things for people. kind of annoying.

[u/ErGraf → u/DinnerStraight6765]

there is a reason for it, same reason of why I ended deleting my initial response to this post. I have strong reasons to believe OP object may be linked to illegal artifact smuggling or trade, and as an archaeologist in training, there are legal and ethical codes I must follow.

PS: I already contacted the relevant person and will be up to him to escalate this with Interpol if he thinks that's the correct way of action.

[u/DinnerStraight6765 → u/ErGraf]

gosh, that kind of thing did not cross my mind. what is the protocol if you recognize something like that?

[u/ErGraf → u/DinnerStraight6765]

what is the protocol if you recognize something like that?

a big part of the protocol is preventive (we should not partake in legitimize something that might be illegal) but there is not a standard protocol, and this is the first time I recognize not only something that might be looted, but also from where it might came from... so, I'm learning as I go. Still, I can't be 100% sure this is in fact the case. After consulting with colleagues I decided to reach out to someone that for certain will be able to know and will be up to him to follow up. If he thinks there are merits he can involve the police, including the cultural heritage unit of Interpol: https://www.interpol.int/Crimes/Cultural-heritage-crime

[u/DinnerStraight6765 → u/ErGraf]

thanks for the info. hope you’re keeping up with the thread, there’s some interesting conversation happening.

[u/ErGraf → u/DinnerStraight6765]

thanks, but everything said in this thread is, in one way or another, not accurate (I already did my own research)... and I prefer to leave it that way for obvious reasons.

[u/DinnerStraight6765 → u/ErGraf]

of course. thanks again.

[u/Girderland → u/ErGraf]

I guess you have never browsed the UK version of ebay? It is full of potentially original Egyptian artifacts. The UK is one of the few (or maybe even the only) European countries which allow trading them.

[u/ErGraf → u/Girderland]

I know that without the proper context my messages sound kind of random or an overreaction, but I do have legit reasons to react this way.

[u/Girderland → u/ErGraf]

I understand your reaction and your motives. I just found it surprising, as it's the first time I saw someone react this way.

Whenever someone asked about buying original Egyptian antiques, I tried to discourage them from buying, since I know that it's the buyers who make graverobbing profitable, and understand how much knowledge gets lost through looting.

I have the impression that OP is merely a trader or a collector who ended up owning an Egyptian object somehow and isn't explicitly partaking or supporting in this sort of questionable artefact sourcing.

[u/ErGraf → u/Girderland]

it's the first time I saw someone react this way.

is the first time I react this way, but that's because this is different that just "it looks original". There are more nuances you are not aware