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[James Hawkins]

I am writing a book on ancient Egypt. In this book I have incorporated line art that is a direct copy of art seen on tombs and papyrus's. The line art that was done in the middle to late 1800's I know and can validate is public domain. There is some that  I can not validate the copyright on. When I spoke with the US Copyright Office I was told that a person can not copyright a copy of a public domain work and the work done in 500 bc is public domain. (IE The line art was not copywriteable unless it was a unique work and not a copy) I can validate the work is just a copy of the work seen on tombs and papyrus's.  Is there any reason that I should worry about the line art?

[Isaac]

The copyright office is giving it to you straight.  The material is not protectable by copyright in the US.

I can't tell you whether there are any supernatural forces protecting the artwork.