Egyptian authorities have opened an investigation after a rare limestone painting vanished from the Saqqara necropolis, one of the country’s most treasured archaeological sites near Cairo.
Officials confirmed the artwork, which adorned the mastaba tomb of Khentika, disappeared despite the tomb being sealed since 2019. The theft raises serious questions about site security and oversight.
Discovery of the Theft
Mohamed Ismail, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, confirmed the incident on Sunday and said prosecutors have begun a full investigation. Details remain limited as teams examine how the theft occurred in a restricted area.
A British archaeological team noticed the painting’s absence in May during ongoing documentation work, according to Cairo 24.
Symbol of Ancient Egyptian Timekeeping
The stolen relief depicted Egypt’s ancient agricultural calendar, which aligned daily life with the annual flooding of the Nile. It illustrated three main periods — Akhet (flooding), Proyat (growth), and Shomu (harvest).
Dating back to the Sixth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (2700–2200 B.C.), the artifact provided a rare visual record of Egypt’s early astronomical and farming systems.
The Tomb’s Cursed Reputation
Khentika’s tomb is famous for its inscriptions warning of curses against intruders. In a 1950s study, Egyptologist Harry James described threats of divine punishment for anyone disturbing the site.
The stolen artwork’s disappearance adds to the tomb’s eerie reputation — and deepens fears about the vulnerability of Egypt’s historic treasures.
Growing Threats to Egypt’s Heritage
The theft at Saqqara follows another major loss. In September, a gold bracelet belonging to Pharaoh Amenemope, dating back 3,000 years, was stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The bracelet, taken during preparations for an Italian exhibition, was later destroyed for its gold content.
Experts warn these repeated incidents reveal an alarming rise in artifact smuggling and destruction, eroding Egypt’s cultural identity.
Urgent Call for Stronger Security
Heritage specialists are urging tighter protection for museums and archaeological sites. They stress that every stolen artifact represents an irreplaceable piece of human history.
Authorities have pledged to recover the missing Saqqara painting and enhance surveillance measures to prevent further thefts.
The case serves as a reminder that Egypt’s ancient wonders, though timeless, remain under constant threat in the modern age.
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