A devastating early morning explosion at a Dutch museum has resulted in the theft of four archaeological masterpieces, including an elaborately decorated 2,500-year-old gold helmet considered a national treasure in Romania. The incident occurred just before 4 a.m., damaging the Drents Museum in Assen and leaving four items missing. Among them was an intricately designed gold helmet from Romania, now known as the Helmet of Cotofenesti, which experts believe was once part of a collection from the Dacian capital Sarmizegetusa Regia. The theft follows the museum’s scheduled closure of a traveling exhibit titled “Dacia – Land of Gold and Silver,” which had already been set to close Sunday.
Law enforcement received reports of the explosion shortly after 3:45 a.m., though no injuries were reported. Dutch police are investigating, with Interpol assisting, and have identified multiple suspects. Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has expressed shock at the theft, calling the stolen items invaluable and demanding their recovery to be returned home. A grainy security video captured individuals entering the museum before the explosion occurred.
The exhibit, which featured over 50 gold and silver artifacts, was scheduled to close just hours after the robbery. Among the stolen items is a solid gold headpiece known as the Helmet of Cotofenesti, considered particularly priceless for its exceptional craftsmanship and artistry. The helmet’s eyes were crafted to protect the wearer from evil, depicting mythical creatures and a scene of a ram being sacrificed by a man poised with a short knife.
Journalist Claudia Marcu noted the theft’s impact on Romania, comparing it to the loss of a Rembrandt painting for the Netherlands. She emphasized that this was more than just a theft—it was a wound to the Romanian community. Meanwhile, officials are working to identify and recover the stolen artifacts, with assistance from local authorities and international partners.
The incident has left both the Dutch and Romanian communities shaken, as the theft of such culturally significant items is deeply regrettable.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lesliekatz/2025/01/26/thieves-blast-open-dutch-museum-door-steal-archaeological-treasures