TRENDING
September 20, 2025
A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet belonging to Pharaoh Amenemope has been stolen from Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, sold for approximately $4,000, and subsequently melted down, according to Egyptian authorities.
The bracelet, adorned with spherical lapis lazuli beads, dates back to Egypt’s 21st Dynasty (1070–945 BC). It was reported missing on September 13, 2025, during a routine inventory check ahead of the “Treasures of the Pharaohs” exhibition scheduled to open in Rome next month. The item had been kept in a locked metal safe inside the museum’s conservation lab.
Investigations revealed that a restoration specialist employed at the museum stole the bracelet on September 9. She sold it to a silver trader in central Cairo for 180,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $3,735). The trader then sold it to a gold dealer for 194,000 pounds (about $4,025). The bracelet was eventually sold to a worker at a gold foundry, who melted it down along with other scrap gold.
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft and subsequent destruction of the artifact. Security camera footage released by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior shows a man handing over a sum of money before cutting a gold bracelet in two. ( Per CBS News. )
The theft has sparked outrage among Egyptologists and the public, who lament the loss of an irreplaceable piece of ancient history. The incident also raises concerns about the security of Egypt’s cultural heritage and the potential for similar crimes in the future.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has stated that all involved individuals have confessed to the crime, and the proceeds from the sale of the bracelet have been seized ( Reuters.)
This incident follows a series of high-profile thefts and security breaches at the Egyptian Museum, underscoring the ongoing challenges in preserving and protecting the nation’s invaluable archaeological treasures.