8 Egypt Museum staff face charges over Tutankhamun mask

Eight museum employees are now facing charges over the botched restoration of the burial mask of Tutankhamun in Egypt.

This was announced on Saturday by Egyptian prosecutors who claimed that professional methods were violated by the staff members.

The beard became detached between August and November 2014 with varied accounts on circumstances leading to the detachment.

“The accused violated the scientific and professional rules in dealing with the relic although they presumably know its value and importance goes beyond the local borders,” a statement from the prosecution said.

According to the statement issued by the prosecutor, the employees are now facing charges of negligence and violation of the professional rules of workplace which might even cost them their jobs.

The prosecutor further explains that the beard was attached with too much glue, leaving a visible crust.

“Ignoring all scientific methods of restoration, the suspects tried to conceal their crime by using sharp metal tools to remove parts of the glue that became visible, thus damaging the 3,300-year-old piece without a moment of conscience.”

The 3,300-years-old burial mask was discovered among other artefacts in 1922 by a British archaeologist in Tutankhamun’s tomb sparking worldwide interest in excavation of the ancient Egypt.