Cairo’s Interior Ministry has revealed that a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet, which went missing from an Egyptian museum earlier this month, has been stolen and melted down. The artifact, belonging to King Amenemope from the Third Intermediate Period around 1,000 BC, was reported missing by the Antiquities and Tourism Ministry following its disappearance from a secure conservation laboratory on September 9.
Upon discovering the theft, a specialized committee was formed to review the laboratory’s artifacts, and images of the missing bracelet were disseminated to customs units at airports, seaports, and land border crossings to prevent potential smuggling attempts.
The investigation ultimately uncovered that the theft involved a restoration specialist from the museum who had removed the bracelet and sold it to a silver trader. This trader then passed the bracelet to a workshop owner in Cairo’s historic jewelry district, who proceeded to sell it to a gold smelter. In a process that destroyed its unique historical value, the smelter melted down the bracelet along with other items.
The Ministry confirmed that multiple suspects have been arrested, and approximately 194,000 Egyptian pounds (equivalent to around $4,000) from the sale has been confiscated. This incident has raised significant concerns, particularly as it occurs just weeks before the anticipated November opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids. This new museum is aimed at showcasing Egypt’s rich ancient heritage and is expected to be a significant attraction for tourists, which is crucial for the country’s economy and foreign currency revenue.
