Tourist from Scotland penalized heavily for pilfering archaeological artifacts from Pompeii

In the heart of Italy, Carabinieri police officers made a significant arrest near the Villa dei Misteri EAV stop. A 51-year-old Scottish tourist was caught red-handed, attempting to make off with ancient artefacts from the archaeological site of Pompeii.

The incident occurred on Thursday, 14 August, during an evening tour. The tourist was spotted picking up five rocks and a brick from the Pompeii pavement and placing them in his backpack. It is alleged that he had no idea it was forbidden to remove artefacts from the site.

Italian authorities have been investigating the tourist since he attempted to steal ancient fragments in Pompeii on the same day. Under Italian law, the offence carries a potential prison sentence of up to six years and a fine of up to €1,500. However, if the man has no previous criminal record, he may face only the fine.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort of staff, tour guides, custodians, security personnel, and Carabinieri police in preventing theft. The incident serves as a reminder of the need to strengthen security at Pompeii due to growing tourist numbers.

Pompeii receives approximately 2.5 million visitors annually, making it one of the most famous archaeological ruins in the world. Unfortunately, this influx of tourists can sometimes lead to incidents like the one that occurred last Thursday.

The tourist's actions would have resulted in nothing being left of the archaeological site if everyone wandered off with a piece of Pompeii. Thankfully, the stones were recovered and returned to the archaeological park.

This is not the first time that artefacts have been returned to Pompeii. In 2020, a Canadian woman named Nicole returned artefacts she had stolen from Pompeii 15 years earlier, citing a curse. Nicole linked her family's financial hardship and two breast cancer diagnoses to the theft of the Pompeii artefacts. In her apology letter, she stated that her family had experienced bad luck since she took the items in her early twenties.

It is rumored that stealing from ancient Pompeii may bring bad luck to the perpetrator. Whether or not this is true, it is clear that the theft of Pompeii's ancient treasures is a serious offence that must be prevented.

The tourist is currently being investigated for aggravated theft. The recovery of the stolen artefacts is a testament to the diligence and commitment of the authorities in protecting Italy's historical treasures. Visitors are reminded to respect the archaeological site and its artefacts, ensuring that future generations can continue to marvel at the beauty of Pompeii.

Tourist from Scotland penalized heavily for pilfering archaeological artifacts from Pompeii