The items—which include a helmet discovered by playing children—belonged to members of the lost Dacian civilisation

Dutch authorities are desperately investigating a major art heist of a millenia-old golden helmet from an ancient civilization in current-day Romania.

Robbers used explosives to break into the Drents Museum in Assen over the weekend and nab three antique bracelets and a 2,500-year-old gold helmet.

The 5th-century BC Helmet of Cotofenesti was among the valuable items taken during an overnight heist at Drents Museum in the Netherlands.

The intricate golden Cotofenesti helmet dates back some 2,500 years and is one Romania’s most revered national treasures from the Dacia civilization. It was on display at the small Drents Museum in eastern Netherlands on the last weekend of a 6-month stint when thieves nabbed it.

After the shocking theft of Romania’s precious ancient Cotofenesti helmet, Dutch police have arrested three suspects, offering a glimmer of hope for its recovery. View on euronews

Several archaeological pieces from the Dacia - Empire of Gold and Silver exhibition showcasing Dacian treasures from Romania have been stolen after an explosion at the Drents Museum in the Netherlands on the night of January 24 to 25.

Following the recent theft at the Drents Museum in the Netherlands, the Brukenthal National Museum in Romania has decided to close temporarily to raise awareness about the importance of protecting cultural heritage.

A group of burglars blew up the entrance of the Drents Museum in the Netherlands and ran away with solid gold artifacts on loan from Romania. NBC News' Meagan Fitzgerald has the details as Romanian leaders now question why the precious pieces were in the Netherlands in the first place.

Among the stolen artifacts were the golden helmet of Coțofenești and three golden bracelets that dated back to the ancient Dacians.

Thieves just blew up a door at the Drents Museum in the Netherlands to steal ancient artifacts, including the 5th-century BC Helmet of Cotofenesti.