Egypt’s Stolen Pharaoh Bracelet Incident
In September, Egypt faced a significant tragedy when a bracelet belonging to Pharaoh Usermaatre Amenemope was stolen from a Cairo museum and subsequently melted down. This bracelet, an artifact from the third interim period, is believed to date back between 993 and 984 BC.
Before the theft, it was housed in the Egyptian Museum’s Restoration Laboratory. Reports indicate that a restoration expert took the bracelet to a silver jeweler, who later sold it to a gold jeweler for about $3,735. Afterward, the bracelet was further sold to gold casting workers for $4,000, where it was melted along with other metals. Thankfully, authorities intervened before all was lost. All involved suspects have been apprehended, and investigations into the event are ongoing.
The occurrence of artifact theft in museums, while rare, isn’t entirely unheard of. Below are a few notable examples of similar incidents.
American Gold Toilet Theft
Not quite an ancient treasure, but notable nonetheless, the “American” gold toilet by Maurizio Cattelan was stolen on September 14, 2019, from Blenheim Palace in England, the site of Winston Churchill’s birth. This fully functioning sculpture weighed 215 pounds and was valued at $3.5 million, with an insurance valuation of around $6 million. As of June 2025, two suspects related to the theft have been jailed, but the toilet remains missing and is believed to have been cut up and sold.
Golden Horn of Galephus
The Golden Horn of Galephus, a significant artifact from ancient Denmark, was excavated in 1639 and is dated around 400 AD. The artifact was known for its intricate carvings of Nordic and Roman designs, showcasing cultural exchanges in ancient Europe. Unfortunately, a thief stole it from the Royal Museum of Denmark on May 4, 1802, and melted it. Today, only replicas remain, as the original was lost to history.
The Childeric I Treasure
Another historic theft occurred almost 200 years ago when treasures belonging to Childeric I, a Frankish leader, were stolen from the French National Library on November 5, 1831. Initially discovered in 1653, all golden items were lost over time, with some pieces reportedly later recovered from hidden locations on the Seine River. Records of the treasures exist mostly through fine sculptures created at the time of discovery.
The British Museum Theft
In 2023, a former employee was implicated in the disappearance of over 1,800 artifacts from the British Museum. Primarily, the missing pieces included small items made of gold, semi-precious gems, and glass, dating from the 15th to 19th centuries BC. A civil lawsuit against employees has been launched, and although some items have been recovered, many remain unaccounted for. The museum’s director described the incident as “very rare,” and measures have been taken to enhance security and audit the missing items.
The New Bedford Whaling Museum Incident
In Massachusetts, an employee at the New Bedford Whaling Museum was accused in 2023 of stealing many artifacts valued over $75,000 and selling them locally. The theft was discovered when a shopkeeper reported suspicions about some artifacts they had purchased from the employee. Some items are still unaccounted for as of 2023, but the employee pleaded guilty in 2024 and faced legal consequences.
