A dark-skinned portrayal of Nefertiti and Tutankhamun in a mural near Cairo’s Egyptian Museum set off a public controversy in Egypt after critics said the images misrepresented the ancient figures and promoted an Afrocentric view of Egyptian history.
The artwork, created by the youth volunteer group Rasmet Basma as part of a city beautification project ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Sept. 1-2 visit, was later painted over after authorities asked for changes.
The dispute drew attention because the mural was not unauthorized graffiti. Ahmed Moussa, founder of Rasmet Basma, told Egyptian media the group had permits, and that district officials and a sponsoring paint company helped select the design. Officials also visited while work was underway.
Moussa said the team faced a tight deadline and used artificial intelligence (AI) to develop concepts. About 100 designs were generated before the list was narrowed and a final version selected. Volunteers then painted it by hand.
Backlash followed an AI-assisted, officially approved design process
After images spread online, critics objected to the darker complexions and facial features and linked the artwork to a wider debate in Egypt over Afrocentric claims about ancient Egyptian identity.
🔴 Cairo painted over Tutankhamun mural with dark skin ahead of Xi visit
A 66-meter mural depicting Pharaoh Tutankhamun and Queen Nefertiti was removed from Tahrir Square hours before Chinese president Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo last month. The painting, created by youth group… pic.twitter.com/PwbCh0wWyu
— NewsTongue (@NewsTongueX) October 2, 2026
Moussa and other volunteers denied that the group intended to advance such a view. He said the appearance resulted from rushed work, limited specialist review, bronze and gold tones, lighting and the uneven brick surface.
The controversy also revived arguments that followed Netflix’s 2023 “Queen Cleopatra” production and a 2024 dispute involving visitors associated with Afrocentric views at the Egyptian Museum.
Egyptologist Monica Hanna said that Egyptians had “never been one uniform skin color,” while rejecting claims that ancient Egyptian civilization can be reduced to a single modern racial identity.
Dark-skinned Nefertiti and Tutankhamun mural raises historical questions
The disputed artwork was removed shortly before Xi arrived. Official Egyptian records confirm that Xi and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi later toured the Grand Egyptian Museum, including the Tutankhamun galleries.
Existing archaeological and genetic research also does not settle the exact skin color of Nefertiti or Tutankhamun. Studies of ancient Egyptian remains show a complex population history, but the available samples do not provide a genetic determination of either figure’s complexion.
Ancient Egyptian art also used conventional and symbolic colors, limiting direct comparisons between painted skin tones and modern racial categories.
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