Police expert fears Villena Treasure has been melted down and converted into money
A police specialist warns that the gold from the Villena Treasure has probably already been melted down. The archaeological discovery could have disappeared for ever.
Villena Treasure: police suspect gold has already been melted down
A National Police expert fears that the stolen pieces from the Villena Treasure have been destroyed irreversibly. "In all likelihood the gold has been converted into money," declared the specialist, according to Google News ES — Crime (es), citing Cadena SER.
The Villena Treasure is one of the most important collections of Bronze Age metalwork in Europe. The missing pieces form part of an archaeological heritage of incalculable value for Spain.
The police investigation suggests that the objects would have been melted down for sale as metal, a practice that eliminates any possibility of recovery. The expert did not specify when the melting would have occurred or who would be directly responsible.
The authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact extent of the theft and the whereabouts of the pieces. If the hypothesis is confirmed, the loss would be permanent for Spanish cultural heritage.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)