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Shadow World

The inside story of how ancient treasures disappeared from one of the world's most famous museums. And how one man believes he uncovered a thief.

Radio 4,10 episodes

Episodes

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Thief at the British Museum
Trailer
A story of history disregarded, beauty destroyed, and trust betrayed.
20 May 2024,2 mins
Thief at the British Museum
1. The Man with the Cardboard Box
People have called him Sherlock Holmes, if Holmes were Danish and obsessed with gems.
27 May 2024,14 mins
Thief at the British Museum
2. White Paper Dots
Ittai Gradel discovers a seemingly endless supply of precious gemstones.
27 May 2024,16 mins
Thief at the British Museum
3. Lightbulb Moment
For Ittai, the clues finally fall into place. Has he identified the thief?
27 May 2024,14 mins
Thief at the British Museum
4. Seeds of Doubt
Ittai is convinced he has found his thief, but not everyone is so sure.
27 May 2024,15 mins
Thief at the British Museum
5. Secret Missions
A story of history disregarded, beauty destroyed, and trust betrayed.
27 May 2024,17 mins
Thief at the British Museum
6. Lone Wolf or Scapegoat?
Peter Higgs is sacked, but the British Museum’s director turns on Ittai.
27 May 2024,18 mins
Thief at the British Museum
7. Treasure Hunt
Katie and Ittai’s hunt for gems leads them across Europe
27 May 2024,15 mins
Thief at the British Museum
8. Stateside
Katie discovers the eBay seller has customers in the US - one with hundreds of gems.
27 May 2024,16 mins
Thief at the British Museum
9. An Ending, a Beginning
Ittai hands over his gems. But will we ever know what else the Museum has lost?
27 May 2024,18 mins