The 2,600-Year-Old “Modern” Statue That Defies Time

The surface looks recent, but the statue is ancient. Around 670 BCE in Egypt, the copper alloy figure of princess-priestess Takushit was decorated with intricate inlaid metals forming hieroglyphic scenes across the body. The inscriptions remain sharply visible despite millennia. The contrasting metals and controlled engraving suggest careful alloy preparation and finishing techniques. Corrosion appears limited, preserving both text and imagery. The result combines sculpture, inscription, and metallurgy in a single object. Now held in the British Museum, the statue demonstrates sophisticated metalworking in the Late Period. The craftsmanship is evident. The precise workshop methods behind its long-term preservation remain unresolved.