The article addresses this as well. "Experts, including Alotol, have questioned Jawdat's story, arguing that the colour and apparent excellent condition of the

The article addresses this as well. "Experts, including Alotol, have questioned Jawdat's story, arguing that the colour and apparent excellent condition of the statue contradict the story that it was found in the sea. They speculate it was discovered inland, under the ground, and that the real story has been stifled either to avoid arguments of ownership or to avoid revealing that it was found while digging tunnels to nearby Egypt."