English Museum rocked by theft of ancient gold artifacts

Thieves struck Ely Museum in the early hours of May 7, making off with valuable Bronze Age artifacts, including a significant gold torc and a rare gold bracelet, both around 3,000 years old.

Located in the historic cathedral city of Ely, the museum now grapples with the loss of these irreplaceable treasures embodying considerable cultural significance.

The stolen East Cambridgeshire gold torc, found in 2015 and later acquired by the museum in 2017 for $275,000, stands out because of its size and purity, weighing 730 grams of nearly pure gold. The bracelet, unearthed in 2011 by a local metal detectorist, further enriches the region's historical narrative.

Elie Hughes, the Ely Museum curator, conveyed the theft's profound impact on the community. "We are devastated by the loss to the museum and the local heritage of the region," Hughes said

"It is a huge blow after the incredible support from the community in acquiring the torc in 2017. As culturally significant objects, they cannot be replaced. Our priority now is working with the police to locate the stolen objects," Hughes added.

Detective Inspector Kiri Mazur of the Cambridgeshire Police is leading the search for two suspects believed to have used e-scooters during the burglary.

Mazur appealed for public assistance in the investigation: “The theft of these items is despicable, and we are focused on identifying the offenders, tracing the items, and returning them to their rightful place. We are working closely with staff at Ely Museum to follow all lines of inquiry.”

Police are urging anyone who may have observed suspicious activity around the museum, the nearby car parks, or pedestrian pathways between midnight and 2:00 AM on the day of the theft to come forward with information. This theft not only signifies a substantial loss to the museum but also deals a severe blow to the region's cultural heritage.

Sadly, in the early hours of Tuesday 7 May, Ely Museum was broken into. Thieves stole the East Cambridgeshire gold torc and a gold bracelet, both dating from the Bronze Age.

The police are currently investigating the theft. We will be closed to the public on Wednesday 8 May.

— Ely Museum (@ElyMuseum) May 7, 2024

Source: Newsroom