The Great Court of the British Museum, London. Courtesy of Chris George
Following an internal review, the British Museum has admitted to violating UK law by allowing approximately 2,000 antiquities to go missing. According to The Times, the UK’s Public Records Act mandates that museums and libraries adhere to basic standards of preservation, access, and professional care, ensuring national treasures are under the care of qualified staff. Institutions failing to meet these guidelines may be required to transfer artifacts elsewhere or yield them to the National Archives. However, a museum spokesperson indicated that such an outcome is unlikely in this case.
In the museum’s 2024 annual report, former chancellor and chairman of trustees George Osborne and newly appointed director Nicholas Cullinan stated that management was considering several actions and is working with the National Archives to achieve compliance.
This admission followed last summer’s damaging revelation that a museum staff member had been stealing priceless treasures for years and selling them on eBay for minimal amounts. Of the 2,000 artifacts taken, only about 600 have been recovered, with another 100 identified. The thefts, many involving uncatalogued objects, prompted the early departure of longtime director Hartwig Fischer and the resignation of deputy director Jonathan Williams, who had been warned about the thefts as early as 2021 but failed to act promptly. In response, the museum announced last October that it would digitize its entire collection to prevent future thefts. The museum is currently suing the accused thief, veteran curator Peter Higgs, who denies any wrongdoing.
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The Great Court of the British Museum, London. Courtesy of Chris George
Following an internal review, the British Museum has admitted to violating UK law by allowing approximately 2,000 antiquities to go missing. According to The Times, the UK’s Public Records Act mandates that museums and libraries adhere to basic standards of preservation, access, and professional care, ensuring national treasures are under the care of qualified staff. Institutions failing to meet these guidelines may be required to transfer artifacts elsewhere or yield them to the National Archives. However, a museum spokesperson indicated that such an outcome is unlikely in this case.
In the museum’s 2024 annual report, former chancellor and chairman of trustees George Osborne and newly appointed director Nicholas Cullinan stated that management was considering several actions and is working with the National Archives to achieve compliance.
This admission followed last summer’s damaging revelation that a museum staff member had been stealing priceless treasures for years and selling them on eBay for minimal amounts. Of the 2,000 artifacts taken, only about 600 have been recovered, with another 100 identified. The thefts, many involving uncatalogued objects, prompted the early departure of longtime director Hartwig Fischer and the resignation of deputy director Jonathan Williams, who had been warned about the thefts as early as 2021 but failed to act promptly. In response, the museum announced last October that it would digitize its entire collection to prevent future thefts. The museum is currently suing the accused thief, veteran curator Peter Higgs, who denies any wrongdoing.
