World Apr 28, 2026 · 1 min read

Antiquities dealer who exposed thefts at British Museum dies aged 61

Ittai Gradel died of renal cancer days after museum awarded him medal for ‘very significant contribution’The academic turned antiquities dealer who exposed the theft of hundreds of artefacts from the British Museum has died aged 61.Dr Ittai Gradel, from Denmark, alerted the British Museum and the po...

The Guardian

by Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent

Antiquities dealer who exposed thefts at British Museum dies aged 61

Ittai Gradel died of renal cancer days after museum awarded him medal for ‘very significant contribution’

The academic turned antiquities dealer who exposed the theft of hundreds of artefacts from the British Museum has died aged 61.

Dr Ittai Gradel, from Denmark, alerted the British Museum and the police after he was able to buy dozens of museum artefacts on eBay over the course of several years.

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This article was originally published by The Guardian and written by Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent.

Read original article on The Guardian

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Antiquities dealer who exposed thefts at British Museum dies aged 61

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