Thieves in Spain have stolen the Treasure of Villena, a renowned collection of Bronze Age gold artifacts considered one of Europe's most significant prehistoric discoveries. The heist occurred early Thursday morning at the Villena Museum in the province of Alicante, with local officials describing the raid as both swift and well-organized.

According to a spokesperson for the town council, the museum’s alarm was triggered around 5:20 a.m. local time, and the thieves had left the building by 5:24 a.m., making the entire incident last approximately four minutes. The mayor of Villena, Fulgencio Cerdán, confirmed that most of the 66 gold objects, including 29 bracelets, 11 bowls, and other items dating back to approximately 1000 BC, were taken. A few pieces, such as three silver vessels, a bracelet, and part of a ceremonial scepter known as the “Kingfisher staff,” were reportedly left behind.

The Treasure of Villena was unearthed in 1963 by archaeologist José María Soler, who found the artifacts submerged in a dried riverbed near Villena. Since May 2024, the hoard has been exhibited in a specially secured room within the municipally operated Villena Museum. The collection’s items are predominantly gold but also include silver, iron, amber, and a rare meteoritic iron, which has drawn scientific interest due to its unusual composition.

Cerdán described the theft as devastating, emphasizing the cultural and historical importance of the trove to the local community. While the treasure’s full value is difficult to quantify, the mayor estimated the gold content alone to be worth around €1.7 million (£1.45 million).

Authorities said the thieves entered the museum through a window and arrived in multiple vehicles. Despite all security measures being activated, no system failures were reported, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether a recent alarm at the city’s sports center was a diversionary tactic. Manuel Pineda, the Spanish government’s deputy representative in Alicante, confirmed the use of such a tactic was under scrutiny.

Experts believe the operation was meticulously planned. Mauro Hernández, a professor of archaeology at the University of Alicante and a specialist on the treasure, told local media that the thieves clearly understood the museum layout and security protocols, facilitating their rapid escape.

This incident follows a spate of high-profile art thefts across Europe. Last October, jewelry worth €88 million was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris in a daylight raid lasting less than eight minutes. More recently, Italy has faced several major thefts, including the loss of four works by Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina in Sicily and the recovery of paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse stolen near Parma.

A recent report by the European Union’s police agency, Europol, noted an increasing trend across member states toward more violent and forceful attacks on cultural institutions, reflecting a growing challenge for security officials safeguarding priceless heritage assets.