Egyptian authorities have arrested a museum worker and three others after a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet was stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and melted down at a gold foundry to conceal its origin, the Interior Ministry announced on Monday.
The bracelet, which dates back to the reign of King Amenemope of Egypt’s 21st Dynasty (993-984 BC), was adorned with lapis lazuli beads and stored in a secure steel cabinet in the museum’s restoration laboratory. It was reported missing on September 13 by the museum’s deputy director and another restoration specialist during preparations to ship artefacts to Rome for an upcoming exhibition.
The ministry said the theft was carried out on September 9 by a female restoration specialist working at the museum. The suspect removed the bracelet and contacted a silver merchant in Cairo’s Sayeda Zeinab district to sell the artefact.
The silver merchant then sold the bracelet to a goldsmith in the city’s historic jewellery district for 180,000 Egyptian pounds ($3,736). The goldsmith then sold it to a worker at a gold foundry for 194,000 Egyptian pounds ($4,026). According to the ministry, the bracelet was subsequently melted down and combined with other gold items to be reshaped.
Police arrested all four suspects after obtaining the necessary legal approvals. During questioning, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the theft and sale of the bracelet. Authorities also recovered the money obtained from selling the artefact, the ministry added.
The theft has sounded alarm bells over the security of Egypt’s cultural heritage. The Egyptian Museum, the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, houses over 170,000 artefacts, including the gilded wooden funerary mask of King Amenemope.
A specialist committee has been formed to carry out an inventory and review of all items stored in the restoration laboratory. The antiquities ministry said it had delayed announcing the theft to allow a thorough investigation to proceed.
As part of the investigation, authorities circulated images of the missing bracelet to all Egyptian airports, seaports and land border crossings in an effort to prevent it from being smuggled.
The theft comes just weeks before the keenly awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in nearby Giza, where many of the country’s most famous artefacts, including the treasures of King Tutankhamun, are set to go on display.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The figures behind the event
1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew
2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show
3) 1,000 social distancing stickers
4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
