The Disappearance of a Rare Archaeological Painting in Saqqara
A rare archaeological painting, dating back to the Late Dynastic era, has gone missing from the famous Khenti-Ka tomb in Saqqara, located near Cairo. This incident has raised concerns among experts and authorities about the security of ancient heritage sites in Egypt.
According to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the painting was recently discovered to be missing, although it is believed that the theft occurred between 2018 and 2019. The painting, which is considered one of the rarest pieces of ancient Egyptian heritage, depicts part of the mural inscriptions related to the calendar and seasons of the year. It was found in the tomb of Khenti Ka, an important site in the Saqqara area that dates back to the Old Kingdom era.
A Rich Historical Site
The Saqqara archaeological area, situated approximately 30 kilometers south of the Giza pyramids on the western side of Cairo, is one of the most significant historical sites in Egypt. It contains tombs of royalty, priests, and princes from various eras, including the Step Pyramid of Djoser and a collection of tombs that document the origins of funerary art in ancient Egypt.
A Bold and Unprecedented Theft
The thieves managed to cut the painting from the wall of the tomb using a saw, an act that experts have described as bold and unprecedented. The loss was only noticed during a detailed inventory of archaeological artifacts in the area. This incident has sparked a wave of concern over the protection of such valuable cultural relics.
The ministry explained that they have been conducting a thorough review of all historical records and books related to Saqqara’s holdings, some of which date back to the 1960s. This effort aims to determine the exact time period of the painting’s disappearance and match its descriptions and images with the objects officially registered with the ministry.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, confirmed that all necessary legal measures have been taken and that the case has been referred to the Public Prosecution Service for investigation. He noted that the tomb had been completely closed and used as an archaeological storehouse since its discovery in the 1950s and has not been opened since 2019.
An archaeological committee, led by Dr. Amr Al-Tibi, supervisor of Saqqara Antiquities, was formed to conduct a full inventory of the contents of the tomb. As soon as the committee’s report was received, it was submitted to the Public Prosecution on the same day. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is closely following up on the investigation in coordination with the relevant authorities.
Recent Cases of Archaeological Theft
This incident follows another case of theft that occurred just weeks ago. A gold bracelet, dating back to the era of the Third Transition, disappeared from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. Administrative investigations revealed that a restoration specialist at the museum took the bracelet and left the site with the intention of selling it later.
The prosecution’s inspection showed that the bracelet dates back to around 900 BC, is made of pure gold, and is set with a rare lapis lazuli stone. It was previously on display in one of the museum’s halls before being transferred to the restoration lab in preparation for an exhibition abroad.
