The British Museum has acknowledged that it violated UK laws governing the preservation of national treasures following an internal investigation into the disappearance of thousands of artefacts from its collection. The museum’s probe, initiated after the revelation that approximately 2,000 items were unaccounted for, concluded that the institution failed to comply with the legal standards required to care for and preserve such objects.
Update: The British Museum is collaborating with the National Archives to enhance its record management practices following an internal audit that revealed non-compliance with the Public Records Act. This Act regulates the Place of Deposit system, which allows designated archives across the UK to preserve and provide access to public records on behalf of the Public Record Office, a part of the National Archives.
For an institution to be recognized as a Place of Deposit, it must adhere to basic standards of preservation, access, and professional care appropriate to the type and size of the public records it holds and their use. The British Museum, which has this designation for its archives and written records, acknowledged in its 2023/24 annual report that it failed to meet these requirements, as determined by the internal audit. The museum is now actively working to rectify these issues so that they align with the standards set by the Public Records Act.
Last year, the British Museum confirmed the loss of around 2,000 artefacts, with officials admitting that many may be irretrievable, having potentially been sold as scrap or defaced. This alarming discovery prompted the museum to conduct an internal audit, revealing significant lapses in its adherence to the Public Records Act. Under this legislation, UK museums and libraries must meet “basic standards of preservation, access, and professional care,” ensuring that artefacts are overseen by “suitably qualified staff.”
The museum’s failure to meet these standards has raised concerns about the security of its collection. According to the Times, institutions that do not comply with these legal requirements risk having their collections transferred to other entities or the National Archives. However, sources indicate that there needs to be a suggestion that the British Museum will face such a drastic consequence despite its admitted shortcomings.
In their 2024 report, George Osborne, former Chancellor and Chairman of the Trustees, and Nicholas Cullinan, the British Museum’s director, acknowledged the museum’s failings. They stated that several corrective actions are being considered, and the institution is working closely with the National Archives to regain compliance with the law.
The investigation also revealed that as many as 1,500 items are suspected to have been stolen by 2023, with another 350 objects suffering damage, such as removing gems or gold. Despite these challenges, more than 600 items have been recovered, partly thanks to the FBI’s assistance. Osborne remarked that this recovery effort had exceeded expectations, with more artefacts returned than initially anticipated.
The scandal took a dramatic turn in July 2023 when Peter Higgs, a senior curator at the museum, was dismissed. He was allegedly accused of stealing 1,800 items over a decade, with an estimated value of $130,000. While Higgs denied the allegations and was not charged with any criminal offence, the museum initiated legal action against him earlier this year.
The British Museum’s revelations and the ongoing fallout underscore the need for stricter oversight and more robust safeguards in managing national collections as the institution works to restore its reputation and prevent further losses.
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