AN Ancient Egyptian sarcophagus has been returned to Egypt from a US museum after officials discovered it was stolen.

The sarcophagus is said to have been looted from Egypt and ended up at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, Texas.

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Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry is seen center right with the coffinCredit: AP

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A ceremony was held in Cairo today to give the coffin backCredit: AP

The sarcophagus is said to belong to an ancient Egyptian priestCredit: EPA
Egyptian authorities sought to get the 9.5 feet sarcophagus back to its homeland.

It was one of 5,300 artifacts from across the world that Egypt claims were stolen.

The precious piece dates back to the Late Dynastic Period and remains in a good condition with an eerie green face painted on top.

According to Mostafa Waziri of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the coffin dates back to somewhere between 664 BC to 332 BC.

It’s thought to have belonged to an ancient priest named Ankhenmaat.

He is not inside the coffin and it is actually just the coffin lid that remains.

The mummy not being involved in the transaction may squash any Curse of the Pharaoh’s conspiracies.

Some superstition believers think the famous curse is supposedly unleashed on anyone who disturbs an Ancient Egyptian mummy.

A symbolic ceremony in Cairo was held to pass the coffin back to Egypt.

It was attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US Charge of Affairs Daniel Rubinstein.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s office determined that the coffin was stolen three months ago.

It’s thought to have been taken from the Abu Sir Necropolis, that’s located north of Cairo.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L Bragg previously said: “This stunning coffin was trafficked by a well-organized network that has looted countless antiquities from the region.

“We are pleased that this object will be returned to Egypt, where it rightfully belongs.”

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The large wooden coffin stands 9.5 feet tallCredit: AP