Ancient bronze ornament stolen in Italy

Pompeii May 18 (IANS/AKI) Thieves have stolen a sixth-century BC bronze ornamental stud from Pompeii the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological Heritage of Naples and Pompeii said on Thursday.

This theft is a wound to Pompeii and to Italy s Cultural Heritage said the director of the 2 000-year-old site Massimo Osanna.

Although it is not a priceless artefact it affects me personally as it came from an area I have excavated Osanna said.

The ancient door stud measuring 7.3 cm in diameter had been on display at the UNESCO World Heritage site s Pompeii and the Greeks exhibition and was on loan from the city of Potenza s archaeological museum.

The stud was one of four on exhibit at the show the statement said.

It was of moderate value said Potenza s archaeological museum director Marta Ragozzino.

Police have closed the entire exhibition area to investigate the theft which they believe occurred on Wednesday evening possibly when the exhibition was open.

--IANS/AKI
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