The British Museum has officially admitted to breaking UK law following an investigation into the disappearance of thousands of artifacts from its collection. The admission, revealed in an internal audit, confirms that the museum failed to comply with the Public Records Act, which mandates strict standards for the preservation and care of national treasures.

The crisis began last December when the museum disclosed that approximately 2,000 items had vanished from its collection. Senior officials conceded that these items might be irretrievably lost, potentially having been sold for scrap or defaced. This alarming revelation prompted the museum to conduct an extensive review of its practices, which uncovered significant breaches of legal requirements regarding artifact preservation and staff qualifications.

Under the Public Records Act, UK museums and libraries are required to adhere to basic standards of preservation, access, and professional care. The Act also stipulates that artifacts must be managed by suitably qualified personnel. The British Museum's failure to meet these requirements puts its collection at risk of being transferred to other institutions or the National Archives.

Despite the severity of the violations, sources within the museum have suggested that there is no current indication that the museum will face such measures. George Osborne, the former Chancellor and Chairman of Trustees, along with Nicholas Cullinan, the museum’s current Director, stated in their 2024 report that management is actively working with the National Archives to achieve compliance.

As of 2023, up to 1,500 items are feared stolen, with around 350 objects missing components such as gems or gold. However, efforts to recover the lost artifacts have been somewhat successful, with over 600 items returned with assistance from the FBI. Osborne remarked that this recovery rate exceeded initial expectations.

In connection with the scandal, Peter Higgs, a senior curator at the British Museum, was dismissed in July 2023 after being accused of stealing approximately 1,800 items worth an estimated $130,000 over ten years. Although Higgs has denied the allegations and has not been formally charged, the museum initiated legal action against him earlier this year.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com