Egyptian harbour police captured 98 artefacts being smuggled from the Nile Delta city of Damietta on their way to the United States, state-run news agency MENA reported.

The artefacts are from the dynasty of Mohamed Ali, which ruled Egypt from 1805 to 1952, and included 32 metal lanterns, two wooden ornate columns, wooden and metal sconces, a metal consul, a tableau carrying the dynasty's symbol and other fixtures, according to MENA.

The smuggling attempt occurred through an import-export company which hid the artefacts inside two containers.

In April, police foiled another smuggling attempt at the same port, the Damietta harbour, where they seized Jewish antiquities.