Ancient Pharaoh’s 3,000-Year-Old Bracelet Stolen and Melted in Egypt

Ancient Pharaoh’s 3,000-Year-Old Bracelet Stolen and Melted in Egypt
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A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet belonging to the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Amenemope has been stolen from a museum restoration laboratory and melted down, Khaama Press reported. The destruction of the artifact is being called a heavy blow to the country’s cultural heritage.

The piece, which was set to be displayed in Italy, disappeared weeks ago. An investigation revealed that a museum conservator, with the help of accomplices, removed the bracelet from a secure safe on September 6. Police have arrested four suspects who confessed to the crime.

According to their confessions, the priceless bracelet was sold for approximately $3,735 to a gold dealer, who then passed it to a smelter for about $4,025. The bracelet was melted down immediately with other scrap gold, making its recovery impossible.

Experts say the piece was one of the rare surviving treasures from Amenemope’s reign. Its destruction is considered an irreplaceable cultural catastrophe for Egypt and highlights security weaknesses in museums and the growing threat posed by the international trade in stolen antiquities. Cultural authorities are now calling for stronger oversight and international cooperation to prevent future losses.