Pharaoh’s gold bracelet stolen from Cairo museum, investigation underway

CAIRO — A gold and lapis lazuli bracelet believed to have belonged to Pharaoh Amenemope was stolen from the restoration laboratory of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, triggering a police investigation and a public-safety alert from authorities.

The disappearance was announced on Sept. 17 by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The artifact, which is more than 3,000 years old, belonged to Amenemope, who ruled during the Third Intermediate Period, likely between 993 and 984 B.C. The bracelet is described as a gold band strung with lapis lazuli beads, a blue semiprecious stone prized in ancient Egypt. The loss raises questions about the security of one of the country’s most popular cultural institutions as it attracts millions of visitors each year.

Officials said a specialized committee was formed to inventory and review all artifacts present in the restoration laboratory, and the image of the bracelet has been circulated to all archaeological units at airports, border crossings, and seaports across the Republic. The Ministry said the case has been referred to the police and the Public Prosecution, Egypt’s national prosecutorial authority, and that the delay in announcing the incident was intended to provide the appropriate environment to ensure the smooth progress of investigations.

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo, home to more than 120,000 artifacts, is one of the country’s top tourist destinations. The government’s broader tourism strategy has included high-profile archaeology projects and plans to expand tourism infrastructure, including a proposed mega resort at Mount Sinai.

In related archaeology news, researchers have recently reported discoveries across Egypt, including the uncovering of tombs and artifacts that officials say bolster cultural tourism. Dr. Josef Wegner, a Penn Museum curator based in Philadelphia, recently helped reveal an unknown pharaoh’s tomb dating to about 3,600 years ago, underscoring the continuing importance of Egypt’s ancient heritage to scholars and visitors alike.

The theft underscores ongoing concerns about security and provenance in a sector that remains a central pillar of Egypt’s economy. Egyptian authorities say they are pursuing all leads and working to recover the missing piece as part of a broader effort to safeguard world-renowned artifacts.

The bracelet’s origin and significance place it among a small group of artifacts that illuminate the country’s 3,000-year-old history, a history that continues to shape tourism, scholarship, and national identity. As investigators pursue the case, museums and cultural authorities face renewed attention on how best to protect cultural memory while welcoming visitors from around the world.