Rosetta Stone

The number of artifacts that have disappeared from the British Museum is estimated at 2,000, chairman of trustees George Osborne said on Aug. 26, admitting the collection did not have a complete catalogue.

The U.K.'s former chancellor described the missing pieces as "small items of jewelry, gems, bits of gold that were not on public display."

Around 2,000 artefacts including gold jewellery and gems had been stolen from the British Museum over a long period of time, but recovery efforts were already under way, the museum's chair George Osborne said on Saturday.

The British Museum said on Aug. 16 that a member of its staff has been dismissed after items dating back as far as the 15th century B.C. were found to be missing, stolen or damaged.

The museum said it has also ordered an independent review of security and a "vigorous program to recover the missing items.″

Egypt renewed its request for the British Museum to return the prized Rosetta stone to its country of origin.

According to a report in The Guardian, an analysis of environmental records and historic documents suggests a volcanic eruption may have contributed to the Roman victory over Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 30 B.C. Egypt’s defeat has long been blamed on the shortcomings of the 300-year-long Ptolemaic dynasty, including infighting, decadence, and incest.