Canterbury raids ‘like Isil’s destruction of Palmyra’
Archaeologists fear ‘local low-lifes’ could put haul of ancient beads, coins, axes and combs for sale on ebay
THOUSANDS of rare Anglo-saxon and Iron Age treasures have been stolen from an archaeological trust in a raid likened to Isil’s destruction of ancient archaeological sites in Syria and Iraq.
Canterbury Archaeological Trust said its collection had been devastated by a “whirlwind of thievery” in which hundreds of precious artefacts, coins, beads and bones were snatched in four raids.
Archaeologists are concerned that the nationally important hoard could end up on ebay or sold for scrap metal and are urging the public and antiques dealers to look out for the items.
Paul Bennett, the trust’s director, who this week received an MBE from the Prince of Wales, said it was a “disaster” for the country.
“It is one of the biggest thefts of archaeological artefacts in the world,” he said. “It is almost like in Syria, Iraq and the archaeological sites there and Libya, where I also work.
“It ranks with the theft of the Benghazi treasure in 2011 at the end of the revolution. They have left such chaos it is difficult to determine what has been stolen. It is as bad as the Viking sacking of Canterbury in 1011.”
The destruction of archaeology has hugely increased in recent years, fuelled by Isil’s war on cultural heritage which saw sites like the Syrian city of Palmyra bulldozed and blown-up.
Videos released by the group showed militants dynamiting centuries-old churches and mosques and rampaging through museums with pickaxes and sledgehammers. Isil claimed it was destroying idol worship and correcting the history of Islam and has sold plundered artefacts to fund its campaign.
However the attacks in Canterbury appear to have purely financial motives. The two thieves believed to be responsible also stole copper cables from the building during the burglaries and one of the men was caught on camera stealing beer from a local shop.
The trust was hit by four break-ins in the same week in January, when the thieves took around 860 Anglo-saxon beads as well as replica bronze axes, Iron Age coins, combs and pins and a plaster bust of Queen Victoria. “The combs are so fragile that in their hands they will disintegrate,” said Mr Bennett.
“They may end up on ebay or at car boot sales for pennies whereas their real place is in a museum. They are our legacy for future generations. These two people have been allowed to run rampant and steal our material. They are a couple of low-lifes who live local. They must have a huge swag bag.
“It is the heritage of Canterbury trampled and trodden on by a pair of thieves. We have been caught up in a whirlwind of thievery.”
A Kent Police spokesman said: “Officers from Kent Police are appealing for information after historical artefacts were stolen by burglars.
“The items are reported to have been stolen from the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, in Kingsmead Road.”
Anyone with information on the thefts is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.