Ancient Egyptian painting stolen from Saqqara tomb

Missing Artifact from Saqqara Necropolis

A limestone pharaonic painting has gone missing from the Saqqara necropolis in Egypt. The painting was located in the tomb of Khentika, according to Mohamed Ismail, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in a statement made on Sun, Oct 15, 2023. The tomb was last accessed in 2019, and the circumstances surrounding the painting's disappearance are currently under investigation by prosecutors.

The painting depicted the ancient Egyptian calendar, which divided the year into three seasons: the flooding season (Akhet), the planting season (Proyat), and the harvest season (Shomu). This calendar mirrors the cyclical patterns of the Nile River. The tomb of Khentika dates back to the sixth dynasty of the Old Kingdom, approximately between 2700 B.C. and 2200 B.C.

The tomb is notable for having a curse inscribed on its facade, warning intruders of potential divine punishment. This aspect was highlighted in a research paper co-authored by British Egyptologist Harry James in the 1950s. The Saqqara site is part of the larger necropolis at Memphis, which includes the Giza Pyramids, the step pyramid of Djoser, and smaller pyramids at Abu Sir, Dahshur, and Abu Ruwaysh. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1970s.

Recent Incident at the Egyptian Museum

This announcement follows a recent incident involving the theft of a gold bracelet from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The bracelet, adorned with a lapis lazuli bead, belonged to Pharaoh Amenemope, who reigned approximately 3,000 years ago. It was stolen on Sat, Sep 9, 2023, while museum officials were preparing artifacts for an exhibition in Italy. The bracelet was taken from a restoration lab and subsequently melted down for its gold.

Based on reporting by Africanews.