Egyptian authorities are currently on the lookout for ancient limestone paintings that were reportedly taken from tombs. This situation marks yet another incident in a growing list of artifact thefts.
On Sunday, Mohamed Ismail, who is the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced the theft. As reported by the Associated Press, the painting was stolen from a cemetery in Saqqara, which is recognized as one of the most significant burial sites in Memphis—about 25 miles south of Cairo.
The missing limestone relief belongs to the tomb of Kentika, an important figure from the Sixth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom, and it dates back to roughly 2,300 BC, making it at least 4,200 years old.
This tomb was discovered in the 1950s and sealed by authorities in 2019. Interestingly, the painting was first noted as missing back in May, but the information wasn’t made public until this past week, according to Egyptian media reports.
Details surrounding the painting remain scarce. However, Egyptian media has stated that it illustrates the three seasons of ancient Egypt: Akhet (the flooding season), Pele (the planting season), and Shom (the harvest season).
The tomb of Kentika is a mastaba, a type of structure that is recognized for its flat roof and sloping sides, which houses an underground burial chamber. This particular tomb also features inscriptions that caution potential intruders about facing divine wrath if they trespass.
This theft announcement comes on the heels of a report about a separate incident involving a precious bracelet stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, belonging to Pharaoh User Matre Amennemope.
It’s worth noting that Egypt isn’t the only country dealing with the issue of antiquities theft. Recently, in Wales, thieves stole Bronze Age gold jewelry from St Fagan’s National Museum in Cardiff. A threat management expert pointed out that Egypt’s economic struggles contribute to a setting where opportunistic crimes can flourish.
In urban settings, other forms of petty crime are prevalent, such as pickpocketing in markets, inflated taxi fares, and hard-sell tactics. There are, of course, larger risks, particularly in regions like the Sinai Peninsula, but for many, day-to-day life is filled with these smaller nuisances.
