By Danica Kirka
The British Museum said Wednesday that a member of its staff has been dismissed after items dating back as far as the 15th century B.C. were found to be missing, stolen or damaged.
The museum said it has also ordered an independent review of security and a ‘‘vigorous program to recover the missing items.″
The stolen artifacts include gold jewelry and gems of semi-precious stones and glass dating from the 15th century B.C. to the 19th century A.D. Most were small items kept in a storeroom and none had been on display recently, the museum said.
“Our priority is now threefold: first, to recover the stolen items; second, to find out what, if anything, could have been done to stop this; and third, to do whatever it takes, with investment in security and collection records, to make sure this doesn’t happen again,″ said George Osborne, the museum’s chair.
“This incident only reinforces the case for the reimagination of the museum we have embarked upon," Osborne said.
The museum said legal action would be taken against the dismissed staff member and that the matter was under investigation by London’s Metropolitan Police Service.
The 264-year-old British Museum is a major London tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world who come to see a vast collection of artifacts ranging from the Rosetta Stone that unlocked the language of ancient Egypt to scrolls bearing 12th century Chinese poetry and masks created by the indigenous people of Canada.
But the museum has also attracted controversy because it has resisted calls from communities around the world to return items of historical significance that were acquired during the era of the British Empire. The most famous of these disputes include marble carvings from the Parthenon in Greece and the Benin bronzes from west Africa.
Hartwig Fischer, the director of the British Museum, apologized and said the institution was determined to put things right.
“This is a highly unusual incident,'' said Fischer said. “I know I speak for all colleagues when I say that we take the safeguarding of all the items in our care extremely seriously.''
The actor, who played Toby Flenderson on "The Office," told Cheddar there may be a comeback, but perhaps with "a completely new cast." Lieberstein's new movie "Song of Back and Neck," which premiered Monday at the Tribeca Film Festival and is his first foray into filmmaking, was inspired by his chronic back pain.
The actress and daughter of writer/director Kevin Smith, says the Facebook-owned platform has been the most effective in helping her advocate for animal rights and veganism because it enables engagement. But she thinks overall, "everybody needs to learn how to be more compassionate with each other" on the platform. Smith's new movie, "All These Small Things," debuts on April 24 at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The fashion designer said she has seen several feminist movements "hit a wall," and women need to work with men to keep the #TimesUp movement going.
The designer behind the sleeping bag coat says the industry needs to adapt to a more automated supply chain and find creative ways to interact with customers. "It's an investment we all have to make," Kamali told Cheddar in an interview Monday.
The actor grew up on the sets of "Platoon" and "JFK" with his father, Oscar Award-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone. Now he's carrying on the family legacy with his new movie, "Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece," an 80s-style martial arts satire. "We need more 80s mentality now," Stone told Cheddar Monday.
This movie about Jack and the Beanstalk uses VR technology to put you at the center of the action. "It's going to tackle pretty much every sense," explains Mathias Chelebourg, the creator of "Jack: Part One," one of the most talked-about projects at the Tribeca Film Festival this year.
Matt Barnes, who won the NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors last year, says professional athletes shouldn't be punished for using marijuana and that he actually played his best when high.
Murray Cummings, director of the film "SONGWRITER", which debuts at the Tribeca Film Festival, discusses the documentary that follows the Grammy-winning artist. Cummings is also Sheeran's cousin.
The documentary short tells the story of Jewish seniors who celebrate the sabbath at a Wendy's restaurant. Rachel Myers, the director, and her grandmother Roberta Mahler tell the story.
Magical Butter CEO Garyn Angel says that the magic of 420 is that it brings together people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds into one, cohesive tribe.
