Comment by ericmay
3 days ago
It’s difficult to steal from other museums too. I’m not sure I buy this argument. But let’s say it’s accurate - what about other countries?
3 days ago
It’s difficult to steal from other museums too. I’m not sure I buy this argument. But let’s say it’s accurate - what about other countries?
There was a recent theft in a European museum. Smash and grab of jewels and coins with a hammer. They didn’t have a metal detector or any real security there.
https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/10/14/european-museums...
You could make an argument some artwork is relatively less protected than its value but that at best still only explains China (per the OP). Why not other countries?
Formally-protected cultural heritage is disproportionately located in Europe compared to other continents, if anything because we effectively invented the practice. Italian, French, Greek, Egyptian museums store more artefacts than they can expose at any given time - we're talking 2x-3x.
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