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Dimitris Papaioannou / AP
Onlookers and police gather near the museum in Olympia, Greece, following Friday's theft.
Updated at 10:32 a.m. ET: ATHENS, Greece -- Armed thieves looted a museum on Friday in Greece's Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games, stealing bronze and pottery artifacts just weeks after the country's National Gallery was also burgled.
Culture Minister Pavlos Geroulanos offered to resign following the latest robbery.
Police said a female security guard was overpowered before some 70 bronze and pottery objects were stolen. The culprits reportedly used hammers to smash display cases.
"They overwhelmed and gagged the woman who guarded the building," a police official told Reuters. "The value of the objects stolen has not been estimated yet."
Police set up roadblocks in the area as part of a broad search to try to locate the robbers, who wore ski masks.
Sporting authorities are to hold a ceremony at the museum on May 10 to light the Olympic flame for the London Games.
'Treasures'
Olympia Mayor Efthimios Kotzas urged authorities to improve security at the site.
"The level of security is indeed lacking," Kotzas told state-run NET television. "These are treasures. A piece of world heritage has been lost thanks to these thieves ... I think (authorities) should have been more mindful and the security should have been more serious."
In January, three works of art, including one by Pablo Picasso and another by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, were stolen from the country's National Gallery in the capital, Athens.
After the first gallery robbery, culture ministry officials said cuts to museum budgets had damaged security arrangements.
Greece has seen a rise in crime as its debt-laden economy has shrunk 16 percent in size from its 2008 peak, leading to youth unemployment of just under 50 percent.
Rioters burn 45 buildings as Greek government backs cuts
A government spokesman said Prime Minister Lucas Papademos would decide whether to accept Geroulanos' resignation once all the facts were clear.
According to the FBI, the stolen antiquities trade is worth more than $6 billion per year.
The agency runs the National Stolen Art File, a computerized index of reported stolen art and cultural properties, for the use of law enforcement agencies across the world. It also maintains a task force 13 special agents dedicated to investigating the trade.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- 'Absolutely brilliant': NYT's Shadid remembered
- Strait of Hormuz: Iranians, smugglers and fireworks
- Robbers loot Greece's Ancient Olympia museum
- Pentagon details downsizing of US forces in Europe
- 1 year on, wounded photojournalist reflects on Arab Spring
The Associated Press, Reuters and breakingnews.com's David Wyllie contributed to this report.
Leave a Comment:
In situations where there are riots in the streets, extra precautions should be made to make sure that artifacts from over 2000 years ago in human history are not lost forever because of looters.
Maybe during times like this, some of the more precious artifacts could be "reproduced" via scanning and 3D printing and those reproductions displayed to avoid permanent loss. I'd rather look at a reproduction than the real thing knowing it is safe while there is turmoil in society than to have something possibly lost for all future history of humanity. If museums want to keep the artifacts, then they need better vaults, glass, displays that cannot be just broken with a hammer.
Just maybe, there should be more value placed on the human condition and less on old things of days gone by. It’s just the worlds upper 1% within the generally accepted cultural norms/values that can afford to acquire these stolen public items. Remember why the Arab Spring started and continues!
Right! Have you ever seen that museum? One, two or three little items in your pockets would sell for many millions to any number of "private collectors" in Europe.
Yes MrCool, and they won't think twice about the "ethics" of their decision to do so.
At first I was worried.. then I realized its probably just the IMF collecting the first of several payments on the bailout money...
One "employee" on duty - no (armed) guards? Gee... I wonder if that might be a civil service employee and the guards were recently laid off... makes it easier for the boys (IMF and friends) to send in thier thugs!
Dont worry - the items are safely on display now in the private museum rooms of obscenely rich bankers' homes.
Apparently all that US bailout money wasn't enough. The money went directly into the hands of the government, not the people.
I've been to this museum and others in Greece.
Those artifacts are probably going to be better taken care of in the hands of the thieves and the subsequent buyers versus the Greeks running the place.
Seeing what has happened with the Parthenon in the last 100 years, it's a sorry state of affairs in Greece when it comes to historical preservation.
Maybe Greece should be selling the things off to pay for their social programs and the National debt. hay! maybe that's the plan insurance. seriously if those artifacts are that valuable they could sell them off pay their bills and party till the money runs out. then they could have a goat auction or something to raise more billions to support socialism. that or come up with a product other then goat cheese and 2nd rate wine. at any rate robing their museums and burning down the cities wont help much.
Observer why blame the Greeks when it was the Turks that blue it up.
Not Correct... Observer_1.. That's what's called " Greek MOJO ".....
The people defending the thieves here don't know what they are talking about. Similar stuff happened recently in Egypt during the turmoil. Most of the artifacts that were looted there ended up smashed to pieces and of no good to anybody.
No one is going to do well from this, and the loss of stuff that should be preserved for all to see and study will be a tragedy if they are not recovered intact.
How anyone can think stealing from the people of Greece benefits the "99 percent" is boggling. It is a crime against all Greeks and all the world's cultural knowledge.
WTF one woman security guard - that placed deserved to get robbed! lol.... no wonder that country is bankrupt....maybe it is an inside job to try and pay off their debt .... things that make you go hmmmmmm....
Nevertheless, time to blaze one , grab a coffee, and play My Back Pages....and watch in great wonder at our stupidity .... have a great day all you lovely people :)
If you have ever been to NYC, you will see/learn about all the vendors enticing you to play "3 Card Monti!" I think it may not be about stolen art (that would be about mis-direction, like in "3 Card Monti") at all, it smells more of per serving?
Look, EU says because of inflating asset lending by banks (really all banks worldwide), they have to make large server cuts in Government programs. The level of missing art is so great, but why steal it, its value to protect would be astronomical, and recognizable, whom could you show it too? Whom, maybe a super billionaire whom wants to look at him/herself only, smart people are not that dumb!
I don't think it has to be a big conspiracy, the Greece Gov't would be behind this, so as not have to be used as collartial for new loans and bailouts and austere measures that are going to hurt the people of Greece!
"Armed Robbers" ??.....were they wearing Police or Military "disguises" ??......I thought there were no guns in the EU ??.....Could it be trusted public servants supplementing their retirement portfolios, now that their country is bankrupt and can't pay those benefits ???
Hey D Buck- if you had half a brain you would realize that the yearly revenue brought in nationally in Greece from the international tourism generated from the meaning and history behind those objects is worth far far more than their individual worth on the black market to private collectors for a one time fee. Not to mention the fact that when they are owned by the government and managed and preserved by professional conservators, archaeologists, and curators who can research and discover more about their origin and meaning they only appreciate in value. Once they are traded on the black market they are lost forever, those objects are the key to explaining everything about our collective history, as civilized beings- and if you refuse to acknowledge that your ancient ancestors were descendants from the Mediterranean than just remember that the Greeks were writing philosophy while most Europeans were still living in caves
Why don't they steal the stuff and give the money away. Do I hear a bid for the bronze plate. Maybe they could get out of debt. Hey that is a great idea here. Sell everything and we could be debt fee. any takers for the Star Spangled banner. 10 million 10m ..... sold for 10m. Get rid of all this crap and sell it make some money and move on. Then close the doors to the museums and save more money.
The only way to learn from past mistakes is to know your history.
Cultural and economic conditions of today (i.e., the human condition as one person said) are the byproduct of a society and world that fails to take lessons learned in the past and apply them to life today. Sure, you might think that something 2000 years old has no relevance to today...yet our society and world are largely based upon the philosophies and mathematics that were developed during this time.
Plus, in terms of tourism, for Greece, their ancient past is key to their entire economy (at 15% of their GDP). Tourism is a big industry for them and it is in their best interest to preserve what they have. Why would anyone want to book a trip to Greece to see empty museum cases and damaged ruins (ha ha, of course all ruins are damaged...yet, I mean damaged by more than just time) unless they were just going for the food and beaches?
D Buck...It may be the Ottomans that blew it up but it was the Greeks that deposited ammunition hoping that it would not be blown up saving their ammunition. If blown-up, then it would be bad news for the Ottomans. Unfortunately when in dire straits financially crime goes up. We see that in the US also, sadly.
It breaks my heart to hear stories like this. The same kind of thing happened in Baghdad and to a lesser extent in Cairo. It is extremely costly for these countries to care for and maintain these cultural artifacts that in truth belong to all of humanity. This being the case, it seems like there should be some kind of international cultural heritage fund that would help countries that have large amounts of these ancient treasures to offset the costs. I for one would not mind paying a little extra each month in my taxes for such a program.
That might work...add a $1 donation to current museum admission for an International Fund that secures important historic artifacts in the event of civil unrest. After all, if a country is currently undergoing civil unrest, the government of that country is hardly capable of securing the artifacts...so aid must come from outside the country.
Also, I do think that many people who live in the countries where the artifacts reside want their heritage preserved and do not want their museums looted. The problem is that their government is probably not thinking or capable of securing the museums if dealing with civil unrest so a plan needs to be set up ahead of time with the museums and the outside international museum community to protect their national and international treasures.
I agree that it is shameful - however, you must also agree that these local authorities are complicit by enabling these crimes!
By demanding these heritage items be returned - knowing that they most were looted originally by conquering forces centuries ago - they have baited the traps which led to the crimes. If you cannot protect what you own its your fault for insisting on the return, display of treasures before you have in place both the security as well as the cultural climate which respects their value - above the mere pride of ownership. Its stupid to claim ownership and not provide maintenance, security and all that normally goes with pride of ownership. It sometimes better to let others provide for the safe keeping - until you can put in place the necessary safe guards. Many countries have given up wild life native to their countries, placed them in breeding zoos, until they can put in place anti poaching policies which will allow the return of their dwindling number.
Similar to owning a fine wine, a rolls royce, great painting - then sitting the wine in full sun, parking the car on the street or putting the painting in the kids nursery. With ownership comes obligations for care, appropriate care!
George Bush...Broke Iraq, but didn't have any plan on how to fix it. He killed or drove off all the authorities ... setting off a chain of events which spiralled out of control. Give child a gun ... you can expect he will eventually shoot himself in the foot then wait for an adult to clean up the mess.
You fail to realize you already pay, why pay again? all you will do is give money to a corrupt curator. if its that valuable they should sell them or hock them to pay their bills. those artifacts wont do them any good if they are all stolen and hid away in private collections anyways.
Where do you think all this "Baghdad Booty" went ? if not into the hands of the Western Military? ?? All this is.. History Repeating Itself... This happened during the "World's Wars" The German Military during WW11 when they invaded and took countries.. Most of this Booty has never been found.. It's in "Trophy Rooms" of the UIN and Big Name German Families.. to this very day.. They should be forced to cough this STUFF UP.. These people should not be "Above-the-Laws" of the 99%..
Most of what stolen by the NAZI Has, is and will be returned as it is found or comes on the market. More is being found every year.
The good thing about recent (last 100 years or so) was the invention of the camera. There are good pictures of most of the missing art work ... no matter how long it is secreted away - if it ever comes out of hiding it will be reclaimed. and returned to its last rightful owner... after that - its up to the heirs to decide whether to sell it, donate it or do both, as in put it on permanent exhibition in a national museum - so it can be viewed, safeguarded and studied... but allow the families (owners) to retain legal title.
Kind o f like the English Royal family is the care taker of the Crown Royal Jewels, but can't sell them. As they are deemed a National treasure and essentially priceless.
Life is so "complicated" when you are both bound by your family Heritage, Extremely rich - yet don't actually own your treasures. :)
This is just the Greek people taking back their culture and country. The greek traitor government obviously cannot protect their history inside their museums so it is in the peoples interest to take the artifacts somewhere to be secured. They are in a civil war. My guess is these artifacts are not going to be sold on the black market but are now in the hands of true Greeks who wish to preserve their nation and history. The current Greek government clearly does not care about Greece or the Greek People. The same will happen in America when it comes time to preserve our nation from these traitors.
D Buck-2239568, no our cultural heritage is not for sale, nor should it ever be. It belongs to us all. Unfortunately, only a few of us ( ie. these countries I mentioned ) are saddled with footing the bill for protecting these antiquities.
Of course, there are many things that can be improved on the administration side. That goes without saying. But "hocking" them to solve a temporary financial problem really will make them disappear forever. These are not knickknacks from grandma's attic! This is the most shortsighted and crass idea imaginable for this problem, and I suspect deep down you really don't believe this to be a viable answer either.
woxnerw and Beoweolf, A really excellent documentary on the Nazi pillage of art during WWII is "The Rape of Europa". You can find it on Amazon.com.
I second that. I saw that documentary (Rape of Europa) under Watch Instantly on Netflix about art in Poland and elsewhere in Europe and was surprised by how systematic Germany was in securing famous artwork. They had a whole industry during the war that just dealt with art for which Germany wanted to build the greatest museum ever to house their ill-gotten collection.
Seems like an inside job, and with the debt going on wouldnt doubt someone in the gov had a hand in this.
I agree completely.. Notice that the person in charge retired immediately after the theft. This seems suspicious to me, and not a normal reaction
Actually if you understand the culture it is. They must have felt tremendous shame that it happened on their watch. The Greeks take their history and preserving their past very seriously. They have a very strong sense of that given the passion of the world for the Ancient Greeks.
Expect to keep reading about such stories in the media as the world stands witness to the catastrophe of an entire nation playing out before our very eyes.
Welcome to Baghdad. What a shame.
I expected better from the Greek people.
Really?
I'm with bruce here. No where south of the Alps is a modern country like we think of Europe being. There really are 3 Europes. Northern, which is as or more modern than us. Southern Europe, where many areas of countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain are still very much 3rd world countries. eastern Europe, Communist legacy still prevails and they are trying to gain ground. Some have even surpassed the conditions in Southern Europe (Czech for one).
Why? Apparently you haven't been keeping up with current events for quite some time now. They are acting like parasites, destroying their own country from within. I'm pretty sure all the intelligent Greeks have left the island already and they are down to a captive audience of extreme idiots (probably 3rd and 4th generation idiots)! This was highly predictable for anyone with any uncommon sense (there is nothing "common" about sense anymore). They continue to cut their nose off to spite their face on a daily basis. I expected nothing more from the Greeks who are rioting to keep their unsustainable handouts!
The Greeks are not noted for taking good care of their stuff. Most of Athens is in ruins.
Now *that's* funny, no stress!
Yeah, but though in ruins, there are many beautiful steps and columns. Even Bill and Ted said so:
"We were there," Bill explained, "There were many steps and columns. It was most tranquil."
See?
The same goes for Italians and Italy. Except in Italy, they use their ruins as garbage dumps.
Oh No! Those are precious. If Greek government cannot protect them, other countries should take a step and protect those items.
Not our call. We have enough blood on OUR hands already.
Oliver how much blood are we going to get on our hands just offering to host stuff at some museum? Having a US tour of Greek artifiacts until things cool down doesn't involve violence. If you leave them where they could be smashed, that's more likely to lead to blood.
This is the end of ancient capitalism this is the same thing the tea buggers, yes tea buggers are proposing here.
What are artifacts compared to people hungry in the street?
If the governments would look after their people and stop bowing to the Jews (Banking clan) then things like this would be less likely to happen.
"bowing to the Jews"? That's what your going with? Doesn't sound kind and sounds kinda bigoted. Doesn't this statement bother anyone else?
People should look after people, not the government. Our government in particular fails to do its' job of protecting our borders and assuring our safety, but it sure wants to "look after us" and our money for it's own twisted, progressive interests.
Mark, take your bigoted ignorant selve and go jump off a building near by. Hope your wearing your Nazi suit when you do it, you piece of garbage. You know nothing about Greece, and by the way buffoon the "jews" don't own any Greek banks.
Actually Marks comment was not bigoted at all. He understands the facts. It is your comment which is bigoted against Mark as you clearly do not understand the facts. The "jews" he is speaking of is the IMF and they have taken control of Greece. They removed their democratically elected president and replaced him with an IMF Bankster. I suggest you read up on this because the same thing is happening in America. What % of the US population is Jewish? what % of congress and the lobbysists are Jewish? What % of men get circumsized in America? The Answer will show you who runs this counry and what its agenda truly is. Also Greek banks arent directly owned by Jews but considering all the "bailouts" with massive interest rates they have been sold to the IMF as the Greek people have been. Best of luck in La La Land
Also I forgot to mention the Super PAC add I seen that talked for a minute and a half on why Dr. Paul is dangerous for America and at the end it stated this add is brought to you by Israel... Not brought to you by the American Soldiers who overwhelmingly support Dr. Paul, but by a foreing nation. How is this even allowed in America?? Because it is not America anymore. Dr. Paul is dangerous for Israel because every other country in the world is tired of Israeli terror and they need to keep America as we are their only ally left.
The ten largest banks in the world are Japanese.
Good for them.. They save their money, plan for the long run and don't go around policing the whole world - whether they are invited or not.
On the other hand, they hunt whales... so they aren't perfect!
Hard to believe that Greece was once considered the birthplace of democracy.
It still is.
Hard to believe that America's founders envisioned our political system to be like it is now. (Oh, wait...)
It's a shame that these artifacts have been stolen and I do not condone this kind of behavior in any way. That being said, this is really only the beginning.
The average citizen in nearly every country has had enough and has begun to fight back the only way they can that has any real effect. The greed and corruption by the elite, uppermost classes and politicians of our respective societies has become unbearable for far too many to accept any longer.
Elections do not work for the simple reason that for even the most well intentioned politician to get anything positive accomplished he or she is virtually forced to play along with those surrounding him.
Until the elite of this world realize that it may be better to accept a bit less to allow more people to live a comfortable life events such as this will become much more frequent. It is only a matter of time before some multi billionaire experiences a similiar event.
Let it Happen.. The-Sooner-The-Better Then we'll see just how the Government-and-Media responds to the event..
OK....
Now just who do you think is going to buy this stuff?
Rich Russians, Chinese, Japanese, North Koreans, Brazilians, Arabs, Brits, Americans?
There must be a ready market for such well-known loot...to make it worthwhile to steal......
You're thinking is wrong, Curious Bob.. The 1%/Elete is not in want of money.. They own that, already..
Set up a web sight so people around the world can donate money to pay these countries debt off, it would not be hard to raise a couple of trillion dollars; to help these countries in this time.
The same thing could be done here in this country! if all Americans would participate , like everyone who can afford to give to the fund to pay off our deficit , or even our debt I could donate five thousand dollars towards our debt I don't have 20,000.00 in cash but I could get it and would if it was set up right , I would also give 1000.00 to these countries if It was set up to do it, many Americans could give a million dollars and never miss it, some could give a billion, others could do fifty thousand, twenty, or ten etc. we could raise enough money in a short time to pay our debt down by 8 trillion dollars, !
One thing I believe is money would solve these problems and we have the money to do it, why don't we do it and get over this crisis!
Even if the congress would pass a bill that would require people to pay on the debt according to how much they could afford, or If the President gave an executive order to do it for national security, we could solve these problems overnight and we all would be much better off for it !!!
If it were to be planned right they could give tax incentives to those who pay, if the national debt were to come down by eight trillion dollars, and they would really save money by cutting waste , with the wars ending etc. this country could be debt free in a short time !!!
This plan might sound like a pipe dream to many but think about it this way, if the world economies start to collapse, and there were robberies, and violence everywhere, because we would not do it what would be better, total collapse or do it pay the price and move on???
I can imagine someone saying I had a million dollars, and they made me pay fifty thousand now Im making more money, because everything got better it pisses me off to no end ill never trust them again! on second thought my children and grand children are much safer now, may by it wasn't that bad!!!
Oh I'm sorry, you're being totally serious about this plan? Yes, because everyone just happens to have $5,000 sitting around waiting to "donate" it to the national government.
If I had an extra $5,000, I sure as hell wouldn't donate it to the national government. It would go to better use elsewhere. Like paying off my college loans, supporting medical research, a local museum, or lcoal arts programs. I take that back, I'd be willing to give them $1, in repayment for all the support they've offered me or my family.
We don't need any more of those fancy executive orders going out.
I'm not surprised that some Occupy people would show disdain for cultural artifacts. There's a danger in that and I hope it doesn't catch on. Watch the movie "The Red Violin", there are parallels. These artifacts belong to us all and exist within, define and provide a context for the human condition. They and us are inextricable. Revolutons should never destroy that part of us and that's what so many of them do. The burning of the Alexandria library, the defacement of beautiful Buddhas and destruction of Roman and Greek sculptures. These works are all a part of a historical continuuity. I'm sorry for the loss of Greek artifacts. I also wish the 1%perceners would stat caring for the wholeof the human condition.
America is just steps behind Greece. And the people do NOT want to believe it. Total denial.
3rdpartyadvocate; I agree we are facing a debt crisis, that spin out of control at any time, and cities are on the verge of collapse so to speak, people are doing without trying to find ways to feed their families, and ways to get medical care for them, the leaders on capital hill are racing each other trying to win the white house and cant sit down and even discuss the problems in a civil way, everyone of them says they have the answers, it is getting really crazy in the world then to top it off people are sitting on mountains of money trying to get more, while the country goes to pot when these problems could be solved overnight if we would just wake up!!!
I agree 100% - The U.S. need to wake up - fast.........
Oh we are so critical of the Greek people. Perhaps the EU expectations that the Greeks go without food to pay back their debt has made them a little more desperate. Money will ultimately destroy all culture. The final winners will be the bankers, lawyers, drug dealers, pornographers, and politicians. The losers will be the workers/manufacterers, artists, designers, and builders.
Greece is being sacked by the fifth crusade, run by relentless capitalism. A form of capitalism that demands a there be victims living in poverty.
It is ironic that the Western culture is heavily based on the ancient Greek model, and yet is so disdainful of modern Greek.
People don't like starvation. I think we can do better for the Greeks. I am saddened by the loss at Olympia. Now to survive the Greeks are forced to steal then sell their treasures. They will be left in poverty. Perhaps they will do better under Turkishish rule.
Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Stupid people destroying their own country. Sorta reminds you of the Occupy movement. Actually I have a name for them Occupy Olympia. LOL.
Stupid people think Occupy Wall street destroyed the nation and not Wall street itself. Last I checked Wall st and the bankers destroyed this nation. They got you to turn on fellow Americans though through propaganda and your tiny brain. Best of luck to you in La La Land.
I will bet that Evil George W Bush had something to do with this!!!! Oliver,,,Good post!
If the Greeks had a society that worked...but then, they don't.
national treasures... it is a category all of its own. One way to end poverty is a communist revolution but that is a bad idea that does not work too good with real life examples. The old ways of pillaging from conquest does not work because of fear of gigantic mega-ton bombs and a belief in war crimes. Going postal doesn't even scratch at the national level. Pulling one's hair and screaming doesn't even sound crazy in these times. What's crazy is doing normal everyday living is open for business in these chaotic times.
It's sad to think that not even museums are safe from crooks. What's worse is the greed that feeds acts like this. Yeah, I might want something that I see or know is out there someplace, but to resort to cheap thievery to get it? Not likely. How do the people who end up with this stuff, number one, show it, number two, explain it, number three, justify it to their friends, if they have any. And if they do show it to their friends, they've got to know where it came from. So it really doesn't say much for their character, either. Sad that the so-called civilized world has to sink so low.
it's getting scary
Obviously an inside job. Probably done by Greek politicians, based on how they run their government.
Currently our politicians are looting us in broad daylight every day.
Well said, Sammy......
A new low in entitlement Greece.
Welcome to the future. What we are witnessing is the unraveling of western civilization due to the unbridled greed that has been allowed to run without control. Get ready for the looting in the streets of London, Berlin, Paris, and New York. Can you hear China laughing?
Unbridled capitalism is no different than communism in that both permit a few to rule at the top without regard for the majority; selfish greed fuels both systems. In the United States, the "leadership" fails when it relaxes safeguards previously imposed by experienced leadership to prevent future catastrophes, fails to adequately support agencies designed to protect the citizenry, and entangles Congress in childish, ideological battles. Regulations are necessary to thwart the wanton greed which runs rampant in America; greed is never good. Current congressional "leaders" should be kicked out of office and be replaced with people-oriented, nationalists.
Will the human race ever learn from the past regardless it is centuries old or last week. When people are hungry they will do anything to serve and can you blame them. when their is a big divide of wealth crime happens.