Thief at the British Museum

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BBC Radio 4 FM

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Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK.

The inside story of how ancient treasures disappeared from one of the world's most famous museums. And how one man believes he uncovered a thief.


Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK

The inside story of how ancient treasures disappeared from one of the world's most famous museums. And how one man believes he uncovered a thief.

BBC Culture Editor Katie Razzall reveals how a Danish gem dealer almost single-handedly identified a man he believes had been stealing precious artefacts from the British Museum. She looks at why thefts went unnoticed for so long.

What begins as a whodunnit turns into a global treasure hunt as Katie tries to track down the missing gems.

BBC Radio 4 LW

Shadow World: Thief at the British Museum: Thief at the British Museum: 4. Seeds of Doubt

Thief at the British Museum: 4. Seeds of Doubt

BBC Radio 4 - Shadow World, Thief at the British Museum, Thief at the British Museum: 4. Seeds of Doubt

Ittai is convinced he has found his thief, but not everyone is so sure.

Ittai is convinced he’s found his thief but not everyone is so sure. “I mean, to me, it just sounds like a setup. It sounds likes he’s being framed”.

Ittai is convinced he’s found his thief, but not everyone is so sure. “I mean, to me, it just sounds like a setup. It sounds like he’s being framed”, one former museum insider tells us.

Peter Higgs is a well respected curator, highly regarded for his expertise on the ancient world and known for helping to return stolen antiquities, not selling them on eBay. 

When Ittai shares his evidence with the British Museum, laying out why he thinks Higgs is a thief, no one seems interested. Has he missed something? 

Presenter: Katie Razzall 
Producers: Darin Graham, Ben Henderson and Larissa Kennelly 
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman 
Mix and sound design : James Beard
Composer: Jenny Plant 
Exec-producer: Joe Kent 
Investigations Editor: Ed Campbell 
Series Editor: Matt Willis 
Commissioning Executive: Tracy Williams
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

Archive: Galleries of the British Museum

Shadow World: Thief at the British Museum

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

A story of history disregarded, beauty destroyed, and trust betrayed.

The inside story of how ancient treasures disappeared from one of the world's most famous museums. And how one man believes he uncovered a thief.

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Thief at the British Museum

Thief at the British Museum: 4. Seeds of Doubt

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