In a significant development today, a London court has directed Peter Higgs, a former curator of the British Museum, to return stolen antiquities believed to have been pilfered from the museum's ancient Greek and Roman collections. The court's order mandates Higgs to furnish a comprehensive list of all items he is suspected of stealing and to surrender those still within his possession.
The saga unfolds against the backdrop of a damning revelation made by the museum last August, where it was disclosed that a considerable number of artefacts from its collection had either been stolen, lost, or their whereabouts remained uncertain. This disclosure not only highlighted systemic deficiencies within the institution but also resulted in the departure of its director.
Higgs, who formerly held the prestigious position of curator for the ancient Greek collection and served as the interim head of the Ancient Greece and Rome department, was dismissed from his post due to the discovery of these thefts. While law enforcement has initiated an investigation into his alleged actions, formal charges have yet to be brought against him. The British Museum has initiated legal proceedings against Higgs, who reportedly intends to dispute the allegations.
According to court documents, it is estimated that over 1,800 items were either stolen, damaged, or destroyed, with hundreds more purportedly sold or offered for sale by Higgs.
Dr Higgs, who worked within the Department of Greece & Rome for over 30 years before his sacking, did not attend the hearing due to poor health, the court heard.
Among the pilfered artefacts are reported to be gold rings, earrings, and various other jewellery pieces dating back to the Roman and ancient Greek eras. Daniel Burgis, representing Higgs, conceded in court documents that the full extent of the thefts remains uncertain, but emphasised that efforts were made by his client to obscure his actions through the use of aliases, forged documents, and manipulation of museum records stored in computer systems.
To date, the British Museum has successfully reclaimed 356 items. Judge Heather Williams, presiding over the case, issued a directive ordering Higgs to hand over any remaining stolen items in his possession. Furthermore, he is required to provide information pertaining to the whereabouts of the missing artefacts or the proceeds generated from their sale.
(Source: In.gr)
