Artifacts from the 15th century BC have disappeared from the British Museum. e. – Kommersant

The British Museum in London has introduced emergency security measures after the discovery of the loss or damage to a number of exhibits and artifacts dating from the period from the 15th century BC to the present. e. to the 19th century A.D. e. The museum launched an internal audit, fired one of the employees, whose name was not disclosed, and sued him. In addition, the department of the London police for economic crimes began its investigation.

As noted in museum statement, the loss was discovered a few months ago. Among the missing items are gold jewelry, semi-precious stones, and glassware. All of them have recently not been exhibited in the halls, but were kept in storage in a separate room and were used “mainly for scientific and research purposes.” The museum does not disclose other details while a police investigation is underway.

The head of the museum’s board of trustees, George Osborne, assured that they are “resolutely looking into the situation.” “We called the police, introduced emergency security measures, launched an independent investigation into what happened and to draw specific lessons from this situation, and also used all available disciplinary measures to resolve the situation with the person whom we consider responsible for what happened,” said Mr Osborne.

Exhibits from the British Museum have gone missing before. So, in 2017, the museum admitted the loss of a Cartier diamond ring worth £750,000 from the collection back in 2011. In 2004, jewelry from the Chinese collection disappeared, and in 2002, a visitor was able to steal a 2,500-year-old Greek sculpture. Prior to this, several times the criminals stole old coins and medals.

Alena Miklashevskaya