Outrage in Egypt as 3,000-Year-Old Pharaoh’s Bracelet Stolen and Melted Down

A nation known for its reverence of ancient history is in shock this week after officials confirmed that a 3,000-year-old bracelet, once belonging to Pharaoh Amenemope, was stolen from Cairo's Egyptian Museum and later melted down for its gold.

The disappearance of the artifact, which featured a rare lapis lazuli bead, has triggered public outrage and calls for tighter security at Egypt’s most important cultural institutions.

Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy revealed on Saturday that the theft occurred on September 9 while museum staff were preparing pieces for an overseas exhibit in Italy. He attributed the incident to “laxity” in security protocols and confirmed that prosecutors are continuing their investigation.

The bracelet was taken from a restoration laboratory inside the museum—an area reportedly lacking security camera. Authorities say it was then passed through a network of dealers before being melted down.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the case, including a museum restoration specialist who allegedly handed the bracelet to an acquaintance with a silver shop in Cairo’s Sayyeda Zainab district. The artifact reportedly changed hands several times before being sold to a gold workshop for around $4,000 and ultimately destroyed to create modern jewelry.

For many Egyptians, the loss is not only a cultural tragedy but a national wound. “It survived thousands of years, wars, invasions—only to be lost in our time,” one Cairo resident lamented on social media.

The incident has renewed scrutiny of museum security and heritage preservation efforts in Egypt. Cultural officials and citizens alike are demanding urgent reforms to ensure the protection of the country’s ancient treasures.

“This is not just about a bracelet,” said one archaeologist. “It’s about our identity, our legacy—and our responsibility to protect it.”

Africa News

Outrage in Egypt as 3,000-Year-Old Pharaoh’s Bracelet Stolen and Melted Down