2,500-yr-old golden helmet returned to Romania after Dutch museum raid

Bucharest: A priceless 2,500-year-old golden helmet was returned to Romania on Tuesday after being stolen from a Dutch museum where it was on loan last year. The ornate Cotofenesti helmet and two golden bracelets, revered treasures of the Dacia civilisation, arrived at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport following a 14-month international investigation and diplomatic efforts. 

The artefacts were stolen from the Drents Museum in January 2025 during a raid that involved using a crowbar and an explosion to breach the museum doors. 

Romanian authorities were devastated by the loss of the heirlooms, fearing they might be melted down due to their high profile. Cornel Constan­tin Ilie, interim director of Bucharest’s National History Museum, stated that the items returned “as relics of our historical memory” and the legacy of a defining civilisation.

Robert van Langh, director of the Drents Museum, called the recovery an emotional moment, noting the relief felt in Romania. While the helmet suffered slight dents during its disappearance, the recovered bracelets remain in perfect co­ndition. A third bracelet taken during the raid is still missing, and Langh vowed that the search would continue. 

Three suspects are currently facing trial in connection with the theft. Dutch prosecutors had previously unveiled the recovered items in Assen earlier this month. Romania’s Minister of Culture Demeter Andras Istvan remarked that the return demonstrated the powerful link between heritage and collective consciousness, while also warning about the exposure of such items to violence and negligence. 

The treasures were displayed under armed guard in Bucharest upon their return. They will eventually undergo restoration before a public exhibition. Ilie concluded that the public can now celebrate the return of these splendid objects, which serve as witnesses to a near-irreparable loss and the perseverance of judicial authorities. —AP