Authorities in Egypt are investigating the theft of a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet from a restoration laboratory within Cairo's Egyptian Museum. The exquisitely crafted bracelet, belonging to King Amenemope of Egypt's 21st Dynasty (1070-945 BC), is described as a golden band adorned with spherical lapis lazuli beads. The discovery of the missing artifact was made during a recent inventory check, according to Egyptian media reports. Although the exact date of the theft remains unconfirmed, an internal investigation has been launched. To aid in the recovery of the stolen piece, the Egyptian antiquities ministry has circulated an image of the bracelet to all national security checkpoints, including airports, seaports, and land border crossings, in an attempt to prevent smuggling. The ministry's proactive response underscores the significance of this loss, which comes at a sensitive time for Egyptian cultural heritage. The incident was not immediately publicized to allow for a thorough investigation and a complete inventory of the laboratory's holdings. The Egyptian Museum, located in Tahrir Square, houses over 170,000 artifacts, including the renowned gold funerary mask of King Tutankhamun. This theft follows a similar incident in France where gold samples were stolen from the Paris Natural History Museum. The timing of this theft is particularly concerning given the upcoming November 1st inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set to showcase the treasures of King Tutankhamun's tomb. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by museums globally in protecting priceless artifacts, and the need for enhanced security measures. Egypt has made significant strides in recent years to bolster its museum infrastructure and tourism, as seen in the 2021 royal mummy parade and the repatriation of stolen artifacts from the United States earlier this year. The theft of King Amenemope's bracelet serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing vulnerability of these irreplaceable pieces of history.
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Originally published at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gold-bracelet-pharaoh-missing-museum-cairo-egypt/
