

Looted Treasures Twice Over: The Daring Heist of Dacian Gold in Drents Museum
In the early hours of January 25, 2025, the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, became the scene of a daring heist that sent shockwaves through the world of cultural heritage protection. An explosion rocked the museum at approximately 3:45 a.m., causing significant damage to nearby buildings on the Brink and among the stolen items taken were some of the most iconic treasures of Romania's ancient Dacian kingdom, pieces already burdened by a complex and troubled history. In its 170-year existence, such a major incident has never occurred at the museum.
The Incident
Coinciding with the museum's ongoing exhibition Dacia - Realm of Gold and Silver, the explosion, caught on CCTV camera was engineered by at least three accomplices and facilitated their entry into the building from the landscaped area above the museum's underground extension. The exhibition showcased 673 artefacts from Romania, many made of gold and silver and offered visitors a glimpse into the grandeur of the Dacian culture that once thrived in the area of modern-day Romania from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE.
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Public park and garden above Drents Museum underground extension |
During the burglary, four priceless artefacts were recorded by Dutch Politie as having been stolen. They are:
- Three gold spiral Dacian bracelets, dating from the 1st century BCE - 1st century CE. They were originally found at the Sarmizegetusa Regia archaeological site, one of the six Dacian fortification systems included on the UNESCO Heritage List.
- The golden helmet of Coțofenești, from the 5th century BCE. This masterpiece of Geto-Dacian craftsmanship was discovered by children after a heavy rainstorm in 1927.
Shortly after the explosion at the museum authorities also discovered a burned-out vehicle at 4:15 a.m. at the intersection of Grolloërstraat and Marwijksoord with the N33, near Rolde. It is not yet known if the thieves were connected to the museum's theft, but it is being speculated that the culprits may have transferred to another waiting car after setting the first ablaze.
Looted Twice Over
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Stolen from the Drents Museum - Image Credit: Vibeke Berens |
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Sarmizegetusa Regia archaeological site |
"The stolen spirals are 3 of the first 4 Dacian royal gold bracelets recovered by Romanian authorities in January 2007."
Romanian authorities bought back these four artefacts from a U.S. collector paying US$307,000. The bracelets, weight approximately 1 kilo each,
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Stolen from the Drents Museum Image Credit: Vibeke Berens |
Can (and should) priceless art be displayed in Museums?
The Drents Museum theft raises significant questions about the security needed for internationally loaned artefacts and the persistent risks tied to high-value museum thefts like those we have witnessed these past months.
Exhibitions like Dacia - Realm of Gold and Silver or Luxe de poche. Petits objets précieux au siècle des Lumières at the the Musée Cognacq-Jay which both suffered thefts, aim to bring cultures together by sharing the marvels of our past with the world, and by fostering a greater appreciation for our shared human history. However, incidents like these expose the real vulnerabilities inherent in displaying priceless treasures in museum settings as for every step these institutions take to make global heritage more accessible, they also must grapple with the complex challenge of safeguarding irreplaceable pieces from increasingly violent and sophisticated criminals.
While cultural exchange through artefact loans enriches global understanding, museums thefts while objects are on loan can also discourage future collaborations making these recent thefts that much more painful. Along the same theme, museums face mounting pressure to balance public access with enhanced security protocols, a task made even more daunting with limited budgets or when, like this weekend, thieves utilise heavy explosives to cary out their crimes.
A Reflection on Yesterday's Loss
The looting of cultural heritage is not merely a theft of snuff boxes where diamonds can be pried off or Dacian gold that can be melted down, but the theft of history, identity, and shared human achievement. To understand how these golden bracelets made their way out of Romania and onto the antiquities market, Boston-based Kogainon Films, interviewed many people, including Hungarian born and London-based antiquities dealer William Veres for a documentary film that explored the complexity of this 10+ year investigation.
That three of these artefacts now find themselves stolen for a second time is a grim reminder of the ever-pressing challenges faced in protecting the past while still allowing for public access to cultural material which shaped our existence.
Can you help?
Dutch Authorities are urging anyone who may have been near the Drents Museum, the site of the car fire, or along any potential escape route to come forward with any information which could prove beneficial to their investigation. If you noticed unusual activity, suspicious individuals, or vehicles between 3:00 and 4:30 a.m. on January 25, your observations may be critical to learning more about the suspects in this case.
Residents are encouraged to check any available footage from doorbell cameras or dashcams during that time frame as even minor details might provide a significant lead.
Do you have tips or information about the explosion, burglary, or the stolen artifacts? Did you see individuals lingering near the museum in the days leading up to the heist? Have you heard anything about the whereabouts of the stolen treasures, which may already be circulating in criminal circles?
If so, please contact the authorities through the following channels:
- Tip Line: 0800-6070
- Online Tip Form: Accessible via the police website
- Anonymous Reporting: Meld Misdaad Anoniem at 0800-7000
- Criminal Intelligence Team: For confidential tips, call 088-6617734
In urgent cases, dial 112. Every piece of information counts in the effort to recover these priceless cultural treasures.
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