What's happened
Egyptian authorities are investigating the theft of a carved wall panel from the tomb of Khenti Ka at Saqqara, along with the disappearance of a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet from Cairo’s Egyptian Museum. Both incidents follow recent high-profile antiquities thefts, raising concerns over heritage security.
What's behind the headline?
The recent thefts at Saqqara and Cairo reveal systemic weaknesses in Egypt’s antiquities security. The removal of a carved wall panel using a power saw indicates premeditation and sophistication, suggesting organized criminal activity. The fact that the tomb had been sealed since 2019 underscores how long these vulnerabilities have persisted. The theft of the bracelet, which was sold and melted down, exemplifies the ongoing problem of antiquities smuggling, driven by high demand and lax enforcement. These incidents threaten Egypt’s cultural legacy and could undermine tourism, especially with the Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening imminent. The government’s response, including investigations and forming committees, is necessary but must be complemented by stronger security measures to prevent future losses. The pattern of thefts suggests that Egypt’s heritage sites remain targets for organized crime, and without significant reforms, such incidents will likely continue.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the relief was cut from the wall of the cursed tomb of Khentika, dating back to Egypt’s Old Kingdom, and that officials have launched an investigation. The Times of Israel details the theft of a gold bracelet from Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, linked to Pharaoh Amenemope, which was sold and melted down after being stolen. Both articles emphasize the ongoing challenge Egypt faces with antiquities theft and smuggling, especially ahead of the Grand Egyptian Museum opening. Gulf News highlights the recent use of a power saw to remove a painted section from Khentkaus’s tomb, which had been sealed since 2019, and notes the government’s efforts to safeguard Egypt’s archaeological heritage. The coverage from all three sources underscores the systemic security issues and the high value placed on Egypt’s ancient artifacts, which continue to attract criminal activity despite strict laws.
How we got here
The thefts come amid ongoing issues with antiquities smuggling and lax security at Egyptian archaeological sites and museums. The tomb of Khenti Ka, dating to the sixth dynasty (circa 2345–2181 BC), had been sealed since 2019, making the theft of the wall panel particularly notable. Similarly, the stolen bracelet, linked to Pharaoh Amenemope, was sold and melted down after being stolen from the Cairo Museum in September. These incidents highlight persistent vulnerabilities in Egypt’s efforts to protect its ancient heritage, especially with the upcoming opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
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Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.
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Saqqara (Arabic: سقارة : saqqāra[t], Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [sɑʔːɑːɾɑ]), also spelled Sakkara or Saccara in English , is an Egyptian village in the markaz (county) of Badrashin in the Giza Governorate, that contains ancient burial gro