Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni will send an archaeological team to the US to authenticate a collection of pharaonic antiquities that were traced to an auction hall in San Francisco.

Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Zahi Hawass said if the collection is genuine, efforts will be made to have it returned to Egypt.

"If the party in possession of the antiquities refuses to part with them amicably, court action may be deemed necessary," Hawass added.

Hawass pointed out that he had received a message from the Egyptian embassy in Washington telling him that a rare pharaonic treasure was put for sale in an auction hall in San Francisco.

Pharaonic treasure returned to Egypt, Egypt State Information Service, Egypt, June 14, 2007.