The British Museum has located and recovered 268 missing and stolen artefacts from its collection.
The British Museum says it has recovered 268 objects that went missing and were stolen from its collection
The British Museum has announced the discovery of hundreds of previously missing and stolen artifacts, raising the tally of recovered items to 626. The institution revealed that approximately 2,000 items had vanished or suffered damage, with many being pilfered from its storage facilities and subsequently sold on eBay.
According to a spokesperson, the recovery effort has expanded globally, with artifacts being located across various regions. In the preceding year, a high-ranking staff member suspected of involvement in the disappearance of these items was dismissed. Dr. Peter Higgs, formerly a senior curator within the museum’s Greek and Roman department, refutes all accusations against him.
The museum has faced challenges in proving the origins of the recovered items due to inadequate cataloguing and records. Consequently, these items are currently being received back as donations. George Osborne, Chair of the British Museum, credited the diligent detective work of the staff for the recent recoveries, which have been successfully returned to the museum.
“Few anticipated this day, and even I harbored doubts,” Osborne remarked. “Over 600 of the items have been reclaimed, with an additional 100 positively identified. In total, nearly half of the stolen artifacts have been retrieved.
“When we initially announced the distressing news of the theft from our collection, many presumed that recovery was unlikely beyond a mere handful of items. Such has often been the narrative with thefts of this nature.”
Several pieces, believed to be owned by the museum but never cataloged, were sold on eBay for as little as a few pounds, leaving the true value of these items still undetermined.
Arthur Brand, an art detective collaborating with law enforcement to retrieve missing artifacts, notes that the British Museum, like many others globally, possesses numerous unrecorded items.
“I’m surprised by how quickly and successfully they managed to recover these pieces. Many of them weren’t even cataloged,” he told the BBC.
“This issue isn’t exclusive to the British Museum; it’s a widespread problem in museums worldwide due to insufficient funding and the overwhelming volume of items.”
In a previous civil court hearing, museum attorneys detailed how they suspect the individual manipulated internal records in an attempt to conceal his actions.
Allegedly, the individual altered a minimum of 83 digital internal records concerning stolen, damaged, or missing items, according to court proceedings.
However, a significant portion of the collection remains without cataloging, with many records, particularly those pertaining to gemstones, lacking accompanying photos.
“There’s always this presumption of decency among museum staff, and when someone exploits the gaps in our record-keeping, it’s disheartening. We expect honesty; we can’t resort to frisking everyone upon leaving,” stated Mr. Brand.
He emphasized the importance of thorough cataloging, stating, “Trust is valuable, but accountability is indispensable. Establishing a secondary database inaccessible to staff for cross-referencing is imperative. Even with items in the catalog, there’s still room for manipulation.”
Following internal assessments prompted by the thefts, the British Museum committed to enhancing its record-keeping, pledging approximately £10 million to digitize its entire collection for online accessibility within five years.
While the Metropolitan Police is conducting an investigation, no arrests have been made yet.
The museum’s team of dedicated researchers and curators have been hard at work, diligently cataloguing and organizing their extensive collection, when they stumbled upon this treasure trove of historical gems.
Among the newly discovered artefacts are ancient pottery, intricately designed jewelry, and even a few rare manuscripts. Each piece offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and cultures of our ancestors, truly enriching our understanding of world history.
The museum’s experts are thrilled about this discovery and are in the process of meticulously studying and documenting each item. The artefacts are expected to be on display in the coming months, allowing visitors to marvel at these remarkable finds firsthand.
This remarkable find is a testament to the ongoing importance of preserving and studying historical artefacts. It’s a reminder of the rich tapestry of human civilization, and the importance of ongoing exploration and discovery. So, if you’re as excited about delving into the past as we are, stay tuned for updates on when you can catch a glimpse of these new additions at the British Museum!
Read More: Thief sold stolen gems to at least 45 buyers, museum says
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