The robbery of the Villena Treasure dealt a severe blow to the historical heritage of the province of Alicante, in Spain. In the early hours of August 27, a group of hooded individuals managed to access the municipal museum facilities and, in just four minutes, fled with a gold collection over 3,000 years old.
The stolen pieces are considered fundamental to understanding Bronze Age goldsmithing in Europe. This is a collection of incalculable historical and cultural value, which now faces its greatest threat since its discovery.
The main hypothesis being investigated by the authorities points to the robbers' objective being the immediate smelting of the precious metal, using only the weight of the gold. This possibility represents an irreversible loss for the conservation and study of History, as the pieces would forever lose their integrity and archaeological value.
