Disappearance of a Rare Golden Bracelet from the Pharaohs' Era Inside the Egyptian Museum and Investigations Are Ongoing

In an incident that shook cultural and archaeological circles, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir announced the disappearance of a rare royal golden bracelet belonging to one of the kings of the twenty-first dynasty, in an event that sparked widespread controversy and led to urgent security measures and extensive investigations to uncover its circumstances.

The missing bracelet is not just a piece of gold; it represents a rare royal symbol that reflects the wealth and history of the twenty-first dynasty, and is considered one of the rarest artifacts of ancient Egyptian heritage.

The incident was noted while preparing these artifacts for transport to Rome, where they are scheduled to participate in an international exhibition titled "Treasures of the Pharaohs", which will open on October 24, 2025 and continue until May 3, 2026, featuring 130 rare artifacts that reflect the rich Egyptian civilization.

A formal report was received about the disappearance of the bracelet from the restoration department's safe at the museum, and the relevant authorities immediately began investigations, which included questioning the staff in the department, reviewing entry and exit logs, and confiscating the phones of those present during the preparation of the artifacts for thorough examination, in search of any evidence that might reveal the responsible party or individual.

In a special statement, Dr. Zahi Hawass, an Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities, denied that the image circulating on social media represents the missing bracelet, explaining that the stolen piece is the smallest bracelet among a set of four royal bracelets belonging to King Bsusennes.

Hawass confirmed that thefts of antiquities occur worldwide, pointing to the theft of 2000 artifacts from the British Museum last year, and called for waiting for the results of the public prosecutor's investigations to understand the full truth.

Despite the incident, the management of the "Treasures of the Pharaohs" exhibition in Rome confirmed that preparations are continuing normally, with strict security measures in place to ensure the safety of the remaining artifacts participating in the exhibition, which is one of the largest archaeological events globally and allows the Italian and global public to learn about the features of ancient Egyptian civilization.

It is worth mentioning that the "Treasures of the Pharaohs" exhibition includes pieces displayed in Italy for the first time, including the golden coffin of Queen Iyahtap and the golden funerary mask of King Amenemhat, in addition to the statue of King Menkaure, and the golden coffin of Tuya, the grandmother of King Akhenaten, and the golden fly necklace of Queen Ahmose Nefertari, which testify to Egypt's rich history and highlight the craftsmanship of Pharaonic civilization across different eras.

The exhibition also highlights recent archaeological discoveries such as the "Golden City" uncovered by excavations during the reign of King Amenhotep III and King Akhenaten, which provided new insights into the daily lives of artisans and their families, in addition to a comprehensive presentation of ancient Egyptian society, its religious beliefs, and funerary rituals, emphasizing the importance of preserving these treasures that form an integral part of Egypt's cultural and historical identity.