Cairo authorities painted over a large mural in Tahrir Square that depicted Pharaoh Tutankhamun and Queen Nefertiti with dark skin, just hours before Chinese president Xi Jinping’s state visit to Egypt last month. The artwork, one of 40 commissioned to beautify the city for the high-profile arrival, was created by a volunteer youth group called Rasmet Basma.

The mural's depiction of the ancient Egyptian rulers with dark skin ignited a furious reaction from some Egyptians, who viewed it as promoting Afrocentric claims about the pharaohs' origins. These claims assert that ancient Egyptian civilization was of Black African origin and population.

Ahmed Moussa, the 22-year-old founder of Rasmet Basma, confirmed that the Cairo governorate requested the group paint over their work. The 66-meter-long mural had been completed in just five days. Moussa explained that the team utilized the AI program ChatGPT for design generation, with volunteers then executing the painting. He acknowledged a mistake in not consulting archaeological and art specialists.

Moussa suggested that the appearance of dark skin was partly due to the "golden-bronze tone" used, which cast shadows at night. He stated that Cairo's deputy governor and district head had initially approved of the murals during the creation process, only for controversy to escalate on social media.

Social media commentary reflected the division, with some users questioning the historical accuracy of the depictions and others accusing Afrocentric groups of attempting to co-opt Egyptian history. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the racial identity of ancient Egyptians and how their imagery is interpreted and used.

Rasmet Basma, the youth group behind the artwork, is composed of volunteers dedicated to beautifying public spaces. Their involvement in the Tahrir Square project was part of a broader city-wide beautification effort preceding President Xi's visit.

The incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding ancient Egyptian heritage and its representation, particularly in the context of international relations and nationalist sentiments. The swift removal of the mural suggests an effort by authorities to avoid any potential diplomatic or domestic controversies during the state visit.

Questions remain about the specific guidelines provided to the artists and the precise reasons behind the governorate's decision to have the mural removed, beyond the social media backlash. The group has expressed a willingness to learn from the experience and acknowledge the need for greater historical consultation in future projects.