Stolen Treasures Emerge on eBay
Stolen jewelry with values of up to £50,000 was discovered and listed on eBay for as little as £40, leading to the firing of a British Museum curator.
Long-standing Suspicions and Unveiled Truths
An antiquities expert initially suspected a staff member of pilfering from secure museum vaults back in 2013. The missing pieces later resurfaced on eBay three years later.
A Curator’s Dismissal and Denial
Peter Higgs, the museum’s curator of Mediterranean cultures for over 30 years, was relieved of his duties following an internal investigation. Higgs’ son maintains his father’s innocence.
Priceless Artefacts Lost and Damaged
Items including gold, semi-precious stones, and glass jewelry dating from 1,500 BC to the 19th century AD were reported missing from the museum. Some pieces were found damaged.
Online Auction for Ancient Roman Treasure
An ancient Roman onyx jewelry piece, estimated to be worth between £25,000 and £50,000, appeared on eBay in 2016 with a starting bid of just £40 but received no bids.
Police Probe and Cataloguing Lapses
The police are currently investigating the thefts. The museum’s failure to comprehensively catalog its eight million-item collection has made thefts harder to detect.
Review and Recovery Efforts Underway
An independent review aims to uncover missing items, recover them, and implement measures to prevent future thefts.
Museum’s Response and Criminal Investigation
The British Museum confirms the identification and dismissal of the responsible individual. A criminal investigation is underway, limiting further commentary on the matter.
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