The Ruler of Sharjah has returned hundreds of rare artefacts to Egypt in celebration of the country's crucial cultural contribution to the Arab world. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi gave 425 treasured items, spanning several eras in history, including stone, porcelain, glazed, wooden and bronze statues representing various Egyptian deities. The historic haul also includes colourfully decorated wooden coffins, human and animal mummies, necklaces, bracelets comprised of precious stones and models of falcons and fish made of alabaster and wood. The collection delivered from the emirate to Cairo includes objects dating back to pre-dynastic times in the fourth millennium BC. Sharjah previously gifted another 345 artefacts of historic value to Egypt last year, state news agency Wam reported.