On Saturday, The Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, was the target of a heist where thieves used explosives to breach the museum’s entrance in the early hours of the day. According to CBS News, the suspects detonated explosives around 3:45 AM to blow open the museum’s reinforced door, causing damage to the building and nearby properties. No injuries were reported in the aftermath of the explosion.
The thieves made off with several artifacts on loan from the National Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest. Among the stolen items were the golden Helmet of Coțofenești and three Dacian royal bracelets from Sarmizegetusa Regia, both considered treasures of Romania’s national heritage. ABC Color reported that these artifacts are of highly significant symbols of Romanian nationalism.
Local authorities have launched a large-scale investigation into the planned operation, with Dutch police cooperating closely with Interpol to track down the perpetrators. Sky News reported that the suspects are believed to be experienced and well-prepared, given the methods used during the burglary. A burned vehicle was discovered near the N33 motorway approximately seven kilometers from the museum, which police suspect may be linked to the heist.
Drents Museum Director Harry Tupan expressed dismay over the incident. “This is a dark day for both the Drents Museum and the National History Museum of Romania,” he said, according to BBC News. He noted that in the institution’s 170-year history, they had “never experienced such a significant crime.” Tupan also conveyed deep sympathy for his Romanian colleagues.
The stolen artifacts were part of an international exhibition titled “Dacia! Empire of Gold and Silver,” which displayed over 700 items from the ancient kingdom of Dacia. Bild reported that the exhibition had been highly regarded for its extensive display of artifacts on loan from 15 Romanian institutions and had attracted over 77,000 visitors since its opening on July 7, 2024.
Arthur Brand, an art detective known for retrieving stolen masterpieces, weighed in on the incident. “This is deeply concerning on all fronts. Police and government must find answers quickly,” he said, as reported by Metro. Brand expressed fears that the stolen gold artifacts might be lost forever if melted down for their material value, a common fate for such treasures.
Romanian officials have also reacted with urgency and concern. Emil Hurezeanu, Romania’s Foreign Minister, emphasized the impact of the theft on the Romanian due to “the heritage and symbolic importance” of the stolen objects.
Dutch authorities appealed to the public for assistance in the investigation. CBS News reported that police urged anyone with information or who may have witnessed unusual activity near the museum between 3:00 and 4:30 AM to come forward. Surveillance footage was being reviewed, and forensic examinations of the crime scene were underway.
The Helmet of Coțofenești, was crafted from nearly pure gold and dating back to the 5th-4th centuries BCE. The helmet is intricately decorated with mythological creatures and was first discovered by a child in the village of Poiana Coțofenești in 1927. The three Dacian bracelets, winding golden bangles with intricate engravings linked to royal figures from around 50 BCE, were also taken.
The Romanian Ministry of Culture pledged to take all steps to recover the stolen items. BBC News reported that Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis described the helmet as “priceless” and underscored the cultural loss represented by the theft. Efforts were made to activate international judicial cooperation mechanisms, and Romanian embassies in neighboring countries were alerted to assist in the recovery efforts.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq
This article was originally published at www.jpost.com
