How the Spoils of an Infamous Heist Traveled the World
11 days ago
- #Scottish history
- #archaeology
- #Stone of Scone
- In 1950, four Scottish nationalist students stole the Stone of Scone from Westminster Abbey.
- The stone, a symbol of Scottish subjugation, was originally taken by English troops in 1296.
- During the heist, the stone cracked into two pieces and was crudely repaired before being returned in 1951.
- Robert Gray, a sculptor and politician, kept 34 fragments of the stone and distributed them over 24 years.
- Archeologist Sally Foster traced half of the fragments, some turned into jewelry or given to politicians and others abroad.
- Foster's research involved archives, expert collaboration, and public appeals, but 17 fragments remain missing.