Authorities suspect that an invaluable ancient Egyptian artifact, dating back to around 1,000 BC and believed to have been worn by Pharaoh Amenemope, was stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and subsequently melted down for a meager sum of less than £3,000.

The disappearance of the bracelet occurred during a restoration process at the museum’s lab, where a restoration specialist illicitly removed it from a secure location and sold it to a jeweler for £2,750. The jeweler then sold the ancient piece to a gold foundry worker for £2,900, who, shockingly, melted it down along with other items to create new jewelry.

Efforts to recover the stolen artifact included distributing images of the bracelet at various checkpoints across Egypt, resulting in the arrest of four individuals who confessed to the crime. The funds from the sale were seized by the government, as confirmed by Egypt’s interior ministry.

While the bracelet’s theft was a significant blow, prompt actions were taken by the tourism and antiquities ministry, who promptly alerted law enforcement. The museum authorities noticed the disappearance of the item as they were preparing to send several pieces to Rome for an upcoming exhibition, leading to the apprehension of the suspects.

The stolen bracelet, adorned with precious lapis lazuli beads, was a symbol of luxury and prestige in ancient Egyptian society, coveted by the ruling elite. Believed to have been cherished by Pharaoh Amenemope, this artifact holds historical significance, having been unearthed in the tomb of the Pharaoh by French Egyptologists in 1940.

Notably, the Egyptian Museum, housing a vast collection of over 170,000 artifacts, stands as the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Egypt.

In a separate incident in 2013, a 3,000-year-old statue of Tutankhamun’s sister was among the items stolen from the Mallawi museum in Egypt. The limestone carving, known as the Daughter of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, was later recovered after being looted along with numerous other artifacts.

Archaeologist Monica Hanna expressed concerns over the deliberate targeting of valuable items during the theft, with only a few items left behind due to their weight. Fortunately, diligent efforts led to the recovery of the prized statue, preventing its loss to the black market.

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