The Egyptian Minister of Tourism Sherif Fathy in a television interview revealed that the theft occurred on September 9, when the museum was preparing an exhibition in Italy. According to Associated Press, the minister pointed out that the incident resulted from “carelessness” in compliance with procedures, which enabled thieves to easily access antiquity.
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The bracelet, decorated with Lapis Lazuri coral, belonged to Amenemope, Pharaoh from the 21st dynasty, which ruled Egypt of Tanis in the Nile Delta. Discovered in the royal necropolis by the French archaeologist Pierre Montet, it was part of the collection of about 2,500 artifacts, later restored in cooperation with the Louvre Museum.
As the Associated Press reports, the artifact was taken from the renovation laboratory of the museum, which – as the minister admitted – was not equipped with a monitoring system. Four suspects were detained, including a museum employee responsible for renovation, who gave the bracelet to a friend.
The priceless artifact disappeared from the museum. He was melted down to gold
The artifact himself went to jewelry workshops to finally be melted on other jewelry. According to the estimates of the Egyptian authorities, which the Associated Press cites, the total amount of the historical melting of the treasure was about 4,000. dollars.
The ministry has published a monitoring recording showing the moment of handing over the bracelet to the store owner, which further strengthened evidence against the suspect.
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This event caused a national debate on the security of Egyptian monuments. According to Associated Press, Monica Hanna, a recognized archaeologist and dean of the Arab Academy of Sciences, Technology and Maritime Transport, appealed to suspend exhibitions until the implementation of more effective protection procedures.
Egypt faces the challenge of protecting his priceless cultural goods. Theft of AMENNEOPE bracelet is not only a material loss, but also a symbolic blow to the national pride and history of this region.
