Thieves stole a £4m hoard of gold, silver, amber and meteoric iron from a museum in south-east Spain in just four minutes, without using a ship. The gang climbed through a window to enter the Municipal Archeological Museum of Villena, near Alicante, and made off with the collection known as the Treasure of Villena.
Heist details and timing
The alarm was activated at 5.20am, and the thieves had left the building by 5.24am, according to the local council. They are suspected of setting off a fire alarm in the city's sports centre at the same time to create a diversion. Forensic experts are probing the scene.
The Treasure of Villena, dating back to 1300BC, is considered one of the greatest gold finds of the European Bronze Age. It comprises 59 objects made of gold, silver, amber and iron, weighing more than 1.5st. Most are 23.5 carat gold, including 11 bowls, three bottles and 28 bracelets.
Meteoric iron and historical value
The iron pieces are among the oldest ever discovered and are said to have come from an early-Universe meteorite that struck Earth a million years ago, according to scientific analysis. The hoard was discovered by archaeologist Jose María Soler in 1963 in a ship sunk in a dried-up riverbed in Villena.
It is regarded as the second most important find of prehistoric gold in the history of Europe, behind only the Royal Graves in Mycenae, Greece. Experts said the historical and cultural value of the haul was incalculable.
Impact and investigation
Villena mayor Fulgencio Cerdán, his voice breaking with emotion, said: "They've taken most of the treasure. We are absolutely devastated. I'm even trembling. The truth is that for those of us from Villena this destroys us. It's part of our heritage, of our wealth."
The hoard had been insured for £4m, but that was only a nominal sum. The raw bullion value of the gold content alone is estimated at £1.5m. Spain's Civil Guard was investigating.
