GEM opening fuels fresh calls to bring ancient treasures home

Egypt’s call to repatriate some of its most valued artifacts from across the globe is landing on increasingly receptive ears, with The New York Times zooming in on how the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has strengthened the country’s case to bring its heritage home. “The old arguments against return are crumbling,” Egyptologist Monica Hanna said, adding that Egypt now has “the capacity, the will, and the world-class facilities” to preserve its own treasures.