Instead, archaeologists found an Ancient Roman burial ground.

Preservation advocates say the rushed repainting effort threatens a National Historic Landmark and skirts federal review requirements.

The ministry released photos and catalog details of six Venus statues taken in the heist to help officials identify the missing pieces.

The recovery includes items seized in U.S. trafficking cases and manuscripts transferred by the Met, landing as Egypt uses the GEM's opening to amplify its repatriation push.

The news came after Iraqi officials said in July that more than 40,000 artifacts had been repatriated to the country in recent years.

The orange cornstarch powder was washed off the same day at a cost of about $815.

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has denied that its minister filed a legal complaint against a journalist whose recent stories examined alleged antiquities thefts.