Theft in Pompeii: 6th century B.C. stud stolen.

A theft has occurred at the excavations in Pompeii: a bronze stud dating back to the 6th century B.C., on display at the Pompeii and the Greeks exhibition, which opened just a month ago (on April 12) and will run until Nov. 27, was stolen from the site. The exhibit is set up at the Palestra Grande, and it appears that the theft of the stud occurred during public opening hours. The object was affixed to a reproduction of the Torre Satriano door and comes from the National Archaeological Museum of Basilicata “Dinu Adamasteanu” in Potenza.

The director general of the excavations, Massimo Osanna, expressed his dismay: “in addition to the gesture that hurts the site of Pompeii and the Italian cultural heritage, although it is a piece of not inestimable value, it also strikes me from a personal point of view since it is an area in which I had directly conducted the excavation.” The theft would also have required some skill since, Hosanna again declares, “the stud was, like the other three, screwed onto the exhibition panel and covered by transparent protective sheet therefore the removal of the piece must have taken time to avoid controls.”

The Palestra Grande is guarded by Ales personnel, has a video surveillance system and is equipped with an alarm. The theft is now being investigated by the Carabinieri.

Sources: Repubblica Napoli - Ansa

Image: Via dell’Abbondanza (Pompeii)

Theft in Pompeii: 6th century B.C. stud stolen.

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