Author:  Daniel Lee Affiliation:  Independent Researcher Abstract In September 2025, a 3,000-year-old royal bracelet from ancient Egypt was stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and, after passing through several hands, was melted down. The incident triggered public anger and renewed debates about cultural heritage protection, museum governance, the illicit art market, and the enduring power of gold as a material and symbol. This article offers a critical-sociological anal