Priceless Bronze Age Treasures Stolen from Ely Museum

In a distressing turn of events, the Ely Museum in England has been the victim of a daring theft that resulted in the loss of invaluable Bronze Age artifacts. The theft, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, has left the local community and museum staff devastated by the disappearance of these irreplaceable historical treasures.

A Cultural Heist on E-Scooters

According to a BBC report, the crime was described as a “despicable” act by local authorities, and the theft involved two suspects who are believed to have used e-scooters as their getaway vehicles. The stolen items include a gold torc and a gold bracelet, both dating back approximately 3,000 years to the Bronze Age.

The torc, notably valued at £220,000 (275,000 USD), was acquired by the museum in 2017 through grants and public donations and is heralded as the museum’s “most prized object”.

The torc was much larger than usual examples and was made of 730g (1lb 10oz) of almost pure gold. (© Trustees of the British Museum)

Museum curator, Elie Hughes, expressed the profound impact of the theft on the museum and the broader community, stating, “We are devastated by the loss to the museum and to the local heritage of the region”. The curator emphasized the cultural significance of the stolen items, noting that such objects are irreplaceable and represent a substantial loss to cultural heritage.

An Unprecedented Archaeological Find

The gold torc, discovered in a ploughed field in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist in 2015, is considered one of the finest examples found in England in over a century. Weighing 730 grams (1 lb 10 oz) of almost pure gold, it is one of the largest torcs ever discovered in the UK.

The torc is so big that it is thought a pregnant woman may have worn it around her expansive waist. It was found within 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) of Must Farm, a highly important Bronze Age village that burned and was preserved in the peat of a marsh.

The bracelet was also unearthed by a novice metal detectorist, and found in Fordham, had been a star attraction at the museum before the acquisition of the torc.

The gold bracelet was another valuable and prized exhibit at the museum. (Cambridgeshire County Council)

The Investigation Efforts

Cambridgeshire Police, spearheaded by Detective Inspector Kiri Mazur, are intensively searching for the culprits. DI Mazur remarked on the gravity of the situation, saying, “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”, quotes the BBC. The investigation is concentrated around the museum premises and nearby areas, including its car park and adjacent council offices, which were scrutinized between midnight and 2 AM on the day of the theft.

The museum remains closed as the investigation continues, with authorities and museum staff working closely to recover the stolen artifacts and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The theft from Ely Museum underscores the ongoing challenges museums face in securing valuable historical items. Such incidents not only represent a loss of cultural artifacts but also rob the community and future generations of a tangible connection to their historical heritage. The local community, continues to support the museum in its efforts to recover these priceless pieces of history.

Top image: Gold torc stolen from Ely Museum, Cambridgeshire, UK.     Source: © Trustees of the British Museum

By Gary Manners