Friday 25 November 2022

Berlin-based Muslim Gang Steals Hoard of Ancient Celtic Gold?

Celtic coin discovery in Manching, Germany. (photo credit: Mößbauer via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
Celtic coin discovery in Manching, Germany.

Hundreds of rare gold coins worth over $1.6 million were stolen from a Bavarian museum in a span of just nine minutes, Bavaria’s State Police announced on Wednesday.

The coins, unearthed during a 1999 archaeological dig near Manching, Bavaria, Germany, from what is considered the largest discovery of Celtic gold in the 20th century, were stolen from the Celtic and Roman Museum in Manching. The coins stolen were worth $1.6 million, said Rupert Gebhard, who heads the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection in Munich.

Dating back to 100 BCE, they showcase how the Celtic settlement at Manching had links across Europe, Gebhard said. Experts fear that, because stolen items are hard to sell in the public market, the coins will likely be melted down and sold for gold value – approximately 250,000 Euros, Gebhard added. 



“(It) would be a total loss for us,” Gebhart added. Markus Blume, who serves as Bavaria's Minister for Science and Art, said the coins provided a glimpse into the daily lives of Bavarian residents over 2,000 years ago.

A daring robbery in just nine minutes

Deputy head of Bavaria’s State Criminal Police Guido Limmer said thieves cut the wires at a telecommunications hub about 1 km. from the museum, which disabled power in the area. In a nine-minute span, the thieves smashed display showcases and stole the entirety of Manching’s 1999 excavation


“It’s clear that you don’t simply march into a museum and take this treasure with you. It’s highly secured and as such there’s a suspicion that we’re rather dealing with a case of organized crime.”

Markus Blume

“It’s clear that you don’t simply march into a museum and take this treasure with you,” Blume told public broadcaster BR. “It’s highly secured and as such there’s a suspicion that we’re rather dealing with a case of organized crime.”

Further, Limmer linked the robbery to prominent museum robberies from the past few years such as the 2019 robbery of Dresden’s Green Vault Museum, where up to $1 billion worth of diamonds, art and jewels was stolen.

Thieves who broke into a southern German museum and stole hundreds of ancient gold coins got in and out in nine minutes without raising the alarm, officials said Wednesday, in a further sign that the heist was the work of organized criminals.

Police have launched an international hunt for the thieves and their loot, consisting of 483 Celtic coins and a lump of unworked gold that were discovered during an archeological dig near the present-day town of Manching in 1999.

Search operation after gold theft from the Celtic and Roman Museum
Emergency forces of the riot police search the surroundings of the Celtic Roman Museum for possible traces on November 25, 2022, Bavaria, Manching, after the theft of Celtic gold treasure from the museum.LENNART PREISS/PICTURE ALLIANCE VIA GETTY IMAGES

Guido Limmer, the deputy head of Bavaria's State Criminal Police Office, described how at 1:17 a.m. on Tuesday cables were cut at a telecoms hub less than a mile from the Celtic and Roman Museum in Manching, knocking out communications networks in the region.

Mayor Herbert Nerb told German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung: "They cut off the whole of Manching."

Security systems at the museum recorded that a door was pried open at 1:26 a.m. and then how the thieves left again at 1:35 a.m., Limmer said. It was in those nine minutes that the culprits must have smashed open a display cabinet and scooped out the treasure.

Officials acknowledged, however, that there was no guard at the museum overnight.

An alarm system was deemed to provide sufficient security, said Rupert Gebhard, who heads the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection in Munich.

Gebhard said the hoard was of great value both for the local community in Manching and for archaeologists across Europe.

The bowl-shaped coins, dating back to about 100 B.C., were made from Bohemian river gold and show how the Celtic settlement at Manching had links across Europe, he said.

Gebhard said the size of the trove suggested it might have been "the war chest of a tribal chief." It was found inside a sack buried beneath building foundations, and was the biggest such discovery made during regular archaeological excavations in Germany in the 20th century.

Limmer, the deputy police chief, said Interpol and Europol have already been alerted to the coins' theft and a 20-strong special investigations unit, codenamed 'Oppidum' after the Latin term for a Celtic settlement, has been established to track down the culprits.

Limmer said there were "parallels" between the heist in Manching and the theft of a large gold coin in Berlin as well as  $1 billion in jewels in Dresden -- what may have been the biggest jewel heist in history. Both have been blamed on a Berlin-based crime family.

The robbery took place Tuesday night at the Celtic and Roman Museum in Manching, around 40 miles north of Munich.
Dating back to around 100 BC, the gold coins were discovered in 1999 at the site of a large Celtic settlement nearby. The artifacts weigh a combined 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds), representing the largest hoard of Celtic gold discovered in the 20th century, and are worth "several million" euros, police said.
According to a police statement, the perpetrators gained access to an exhibition room where the items were on show, before breaking open a display case containing 483 coins.
German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that phone and internet services in the area were disrupted at the time of the heist, with local mayor Herbert Nerb telling the outlet: "They cut off the whole of Manching." 
Once one of central Europe's largest Celtic settlements, the Oppidum of Manching was occupied from around 200 BC. It later grew into a large city-like settlement surrounded by walls made from timber and stone.
Excavation work carried out after World War II uncovered evidence of planned streets, rows of buildings and trade facilitated by coins minted at the site. According to the museum, only about 7% of the settlement has been excavated so far.
Bavaria's minister for science and art, Markus Blume, described Tuesday's theft as a "catastrophe."
"Everything must be done to quickly solve the crime and punish the perpetrators to the full extent of the law," he wrote on Twitter. "One thing is clear: Whoever steals art damages our culture."
There have been several high-profile heists at German museums in recent years, most notably at Dresden's historic Green Vault, where masked thieves grabbed 21 priceless diamond-studded artifacts worth at least 113 million euros ($117 million) in 2019. Two years earlier, a huge gold coin worth around 3.7 million euros ($3.8 million) was taken in the middle of the night from a museum in the capital, Berlin.

Officials suspect organised crime to be behind the coin robbery, and police alluded to "possible parallels" with previous heists.

In 2017, a hefty gold coin weighing 100kg was snatched from a Berlin museum. Two years later, thieves took 21 pieces of jewellery and other valuables in a dramatic diamond heist at Dresden's Green Vault museum that was caught on CCTV.


To conduct the heist, the thieves cut off the telephone service and internet connection for all of Manching.

Herbert Nerb, the mayor of Manching, told the German-language publication Suddeutsche Zeitung, “The museum is actually a high-security location. But all the connections to the police were severed.”

Guido Limmer, the deputy head of Bavaria's State Criminal Police Office, described how at 1:17 a.m. (0017 GMT) on Tuesday cables were cut at a telecoms hub about one kilometer (less than a mile) from the Celtic and Roman Museum in Manching, knocking out communications networks in the region.

Security systems at the museum recorded that a door was pried open at 1:26 a.m. and then how the thieves left again at 1:35 a.m., Limmer said. It was in those nine minutes that the culprits must have smashed open a display cabinet and scooped out the treasure.

Limmer said there were “parallels” between the heist in Manching and the theft of priceless jewels in Dresden and a large gold coin in Berlin in recent years. Both have been blamed on a Berlin-based crime family.

Officials acknowledged, however, that there was no guard at the museum overnight.

An alarm system was deemed to provide sufficient security, said Rupert Gebhard, who heads the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection in Munich.

Local officials determined that phone and internet cables had been cut at a telecommunications hub less than a mile away and the entire region had experienced a disruption prior to the break in.

The police, under the mistaken belief that local banks were the primary target, sent patrol cars to nearby banks when they were alerted that the telecommunications cable had been dismantled and that it was causing disruption to 1,300 local connections.

A notorious Berlin family of Muslim criminals is suspected to be behind the burglary,

The thieves showed “incredible criminal energy.”


Roman coin found 300 years ago authentic, proves existence of forgotten Emperor Sponsian?

Ancient Roman coin thought to be FAKE after being discovered in Transylvania over 300 years ago is almost certainly authentic - and proves the existence of 'forgotten' leader Sponsian, study claims

  • The coin, unearthed 300 years ago, depicted a leader named Sponsian 
  • It was believed to be a forgery, as it differed from other Roman coins 
  • There are no other historical records that Sponsian ever existed, but new analysis suggests the coin is indeed authentic

A forgotten Roman emperor has been saved from obscurity as a coin long thought to be fake has finally been authenticated.

The coin, unearthed 300 years ago, depicted a leader named Sponsian who was in power during the 260s AD.

It was believed to be a forgery, as it differed from both the manufacture process and general style of Roman coins from the time.

There are no other historical records that Sponsian ever existed, but new analysis suggests the coin is indeed authentic.

A forgotten Roman emperor has been saved from obscurity as a coin long thought to be fake has finally been authenticated

A forgotten Roman emperor has been saved from obscurity as a coin long thought to be fake has finally been authenticated

Who was Sponsian? 

The team suggest Sponsian was an army commander in the Roman Province of Dacia during a period of military strife during the 260s AD.

Coins have always been an important symbol of power and authority in Rome. 

The researchers believe Sponsian may have authorised the creation of locally produced coins, some featuring his own image.

Only four coins featuring Sponsian are known to have survived to today.

The coin comes from a small hoard unearthed in Transylvania in 1713 which found their way into collections around Europe.

Some ended up at The Hunterian museum in Glasgow, where they remained hidden in wooden cabinets until now.

Researchers from University College London closely analysed the coins – three of which depicted other known Roman emperors - using a range of techniques, including light microscopy and ultra-violet imaging.

On the Sponsian coin, they discovered micro-abrasion patterns typically associated with coins that were in circulation for an extensive period of time.

The researchers also analysed earth deposits on the coin, finding evidence that after its use the coin was buried for a prolonged period before being discovered.

Together, the new evidence strongly indicate the coin is authentic, the team said.

They suggest Sponsian was an army commander in the Roman Province of Dacia during a period of military strife during the 260s AD.

Researchers from University College London closely analysed the coins – three of which depicted other known Roman emperors - using a range of techniques, including light microscopy and ultra-violet imaging

Researchers from University College London closely analysed the coins – three of which depicted other known Roman emperors - using a range of techniques, including light microscopy and ultra-violet imaging

Coins have always been an important symbol of power and authority in Rome. 

The researchers suggest Sponsian may have authorised the creation of locally produced coins, some featuring his own image.

Only four coins featuring Sponsian are known to have survived to the present day.

Paul Pearon, lead author of the study, said: 'Scientific analysis of these ultra-rare coins rescues the emperor Sponsian from obscurity.

'Our evidence suggests he ruled Roman Dacia, an isolated gold mining outpost, at a time when the empire was beset by civil wars and the borderlands were overrun by plundering invaders.'

Curator of Numismatics at The Hunterian, Jesper Ericsson, said: 'Not only do we hope that this encourages further debate about Sponsian as a historical figure, but also the investigation of coins relating to him held in other museums across Europe.'

The discovery was published in the journal Plos One.






Thursday 24 November 2022

Never Trump Republican Congressman Kinzinger Threatens Cartoon Cat

Never Trump Republican congressman threatens cartoon cat on Twitter

Never Trump Republican and outgoing congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) threatened violence against a popular cartoon cat Twitter account named @catturd2 (or commonly known as Catturd) over a Ukraine meme.

Catturd is an anonymous right-leaning satirical social media account and has slightly over 1 million followers. The account was frequently retweeted by the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. Catturd is also known for leading a #CatturdForTwitterCEO campaign on Twitter. 

Kinzinger was one of ten Republicans led by Rep. Liz Cheney who voted in favor to impeach President Donald J Trump, charging him with “incitement of insurrection” for his alleged role in the Capitol Building protest.

Republican U.S. Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, right, and Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington, who both voted to impeach President Donald Trump, exchange a high five on Wednesday after the vote at the Capitol to impeach President Trump. (Anna Moneymaker/The New York Times)


Rep. Kinzinger responded to the Cat's tweet with the following reply, “Literal evil. If I met you in person it would not end well… for you. Sicko. Trolls who have never done a thing in their life pretend to be patriots and laugh at real warriors.”

In typical Catturd fashion, the response to Kinzinger was degradingly comical. “Sitting congressman threatens violence against a U.S. citizen over laughing at a meme they found funny. 😂 I can’t stop laughing at this infant.”

Catturd then insinuated that Congressman Kinzinger was “drunk tweeting.”

Unhinged Left-Wing Republican Adam Kinzinger Threatens Violence Against Social Media User

The Twitter user known as Catturd just made news for battling against Florida’s Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, as The Free Press recently reported.

The Twitter user known as Catturd recently made news for battling against Florida’s Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

Now, Catturd is taking on another Trump hater: U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger.

Kinzinger, a left-leaning Republican from Illinois, threatened Catturd with a beatdown after a social media post mocking the war in Ukraine.

Catturd posted in response, “It’s dumb that I’m laughing way too hard at this.”

Yet Kinzinger was not laughing.The triggered liberal GOP congressman, who opted for resignation over trying to defend his seat after the Democrat-led Illinois Legislature redrew the boundaries of his district, pledged violence, as those on his side often do.

“Literal evil. If I met you in person it would not end well… for you. Sicko,” Kinzinger tweeted in reply. “Trolls who have never done a thing in their life pretend to be patriots and laugh at real warriors.”

The Twitter user known as Catturd just made news for battling against Florida’s Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, as The Free Press recently reported.

Others on the right also took the opportunity to shame the Illinois congressman.

Conservative author and analyst Kurt Schlichter tweeted, “My favorite part of this is this soon-to-be unemployed nobody with boundless self-regard is in a fight with a guy who calls himself feline poo. And is losing.”

Country music singer John Rich added, “Ya know you’ve hit rock bottom when you start threatening a cat.”

GOp Rep. Lauren Boebert observed, “@AdamKinzinger taking time out of his day to threaten to beat up @Catturd2 over a Twitter meme really underscores why he retired in shame.”

Alex Bruesewitz, a political consultant with a firm called X Strategies LLC, tweeted, “Yesterday, 11/21/22, will go down as one of the darkest days in the history of democracy. A United States Congressman named @AdamKinzinger, some know him as “booster seat Kinzinger,” threatened to physically assault a cartoon cat named @catturd2. I’m shaking.”

James Woods mocked the Congressman for squaring up with a cartoon cat.