[CPProt.net] Scotland: Appeal for Stolen Stone Age Relics Return

[MSN and CPProt list (Ton Cremers)]

Appeal for Stolen Stone Age Relics Return 

By Phil Hazlewood, PA 


An archaeologist today appealed for the safe return of prehistoric artefacts
that were stolen with his car from outside a hotel.

Mark Olly had parked outside the Wellington Hotel on Bromsgrove Street,
Birmingham, at about 4pm yesterday ahead of a talk on druids and Celtic
history.

But within minutes, the dark blue Nissan Micra – registration C459 JTX – was
taken, leaving him without props to illustrate his lecture to members of the
Pagan Association.

Electrical goods, including radio microphones, an overhead projector and
amplifiers worth about £4,000 were also taken with about £300 of books.

Liverpool University graduate Mr Olly, from Warrington, Cheshire, said the
resale price of the archaeological items was negligible but they were
distinctive.

“If anyone tries to sell them on ebay, I’ll spot them,” the 42-year-old told
the Press Association.

The items include a small cabinet with five compartments, each containing a
prehistoric axes from the Stone Age. Two date back to 250,000 BC.

A replica of a 750BC bronze sword, with a distinctive brass discoloration on
the blade, was also taken as was a silver case containing metal and stone
objects dating from Anglo Saxon, Viking and Medieval times.

One was a rare Anglo-Saxon purse hoop found in the Liverpool area.

Mr Olly set up and runs CWP Archaeology (Celtic Warrington Project)
documenting all prehistoric and Dark Age remains in Cheshire and south
Lancashire and is also affiliated to West Cheshire College and Chester
University College.

He said: “It’s taken about 10 years to put it together.

“It’s not the be all and end all but I do a lot of work with schools and
members of the public and I use it specifically for that. I’m down to a
carrier bag’s worth of stuff.”

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact West Midlands
Police at Steelhouse Lane police station or the Wellington Hotel direct.


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