Cairo Authorities Paint Over Mural of Tutankhamun and Nefertiti After Backlash

The Cairo mural controversy has sparked fresh debate about ancient Egyptian history after authorities ordered the removal of a mural depicting Pharaoh Tutankhamun and Queen Nefertiti with dark skin.

The 66-metre-long artwork was created in Tahrir Square, Cairo, by Rasmet Basma, a youth volunteer group, as part of a project to beautify the city ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit.

The mural was among about 40 artworks commissioned for the project. However, its portrayal of the two famous historical figures attracted criticism on social media, with some Egyptians accusing the artists of promoting claims about the African origins of ancient Egyptian civilisation.

The controversy led Cairo authorities to order the mural to be painted over just hours before President Xi arrived in the city.

Artists Used Artificial Intelligence to Create the Design

Ahmed Moussa, the 22-year-old founder of Rasmet Basma, said the group used ChatGPT to generate the designs before volunteers transferred them onto the wall.

According to Moussa, the mural was completed within five days in late August. He explained that the artists used a golden-bronze colour to create a particular visual effect, but the shading made the faces appear darker, especially at night.

Moussa acknowledged that the group should have consulted archaeology and art specialists before producing the artwork.

He also said Cairo officials had visited the site during the project and initially appeared satisfied with the murals before criticism began to spread online.

Debate Over Ancient Egypt’s Identity

The dispute has revived a long-running debate over the complexion and ancestry of ancient Egyptians.

Some critics argued that the mural presented a misleading picture of Tutankhamun and Nefertiti and could reinforce Afrocentric interpretations of ancient Egyptian history.

Afrocentrism broadly places African people, cultures and contributions at the centre of historical interpretation. Some versions argue that ancient Egyptian civilisation was Black African in origin.

Egyptian authorities and historians have repeatedly stressed the importance of presenting the country’s ancient heritage accurately.

Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s former antiquities minister, criticised the decision to allow volunteers to paint at such a historically significant location without expert supervision.

However, Egypt’s ancient population was not necessarily uniform in appearance. Egypt’s location connected it with several neighbouring regions, including Nubia and the Mediterranean, contributing to its diverse population over thousands of years.

Questions Raised About AI and Historical Accuracy

The incident has also raised questions about the use of artificial intelligence in public artwork, particularly when the subject involves cultural heritage.

AI-generated images can produce visually convincing results, but they do not automatically guarantee historical accuracy. Their output depends on the instructions provided and the information reflected in the material used to develop them.

Researchers and art specialists have warned against treating AI-generated designs as reliable historical evidence without independent verification.

The Cairo incident highlights the need for artists to consult qualified experts when using technology to represent important historical figures.

A Controversy Beyond the Mural

The removal of the artwork has added to wider discussions about how ancient Egyptian civilisation should be represented and who gets to interpret its history.

For the volunteer artists, the project was intended to beautify a major public space. Instead, the depiction of two iconic figures turned it into a national debate over history, identity and artistic responsibility.

The mural has now been covered, but the questions it raised about historical representation and the role of artificial intelligence remain.

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