Notes on a scandal

Editor's note: The summer of 2011 saw the Palace Museum face a series of accusations. Here are some of the ones that caused headlines.

July 31: A blogger using the name "Longcan" claims that the Celadon Plate with a Mouth in the Shape of Mallow Petals, a first-class Ge ware and a State-level treasure from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), was broken into six pieces when a researcher working at the Forbidden City made a mistake during a pressure test. It is later discovered that the museum had covered up the accident for about a month.

Aug 2: "Longcan" writes in a blog post that the Palace Museum has in recent years covered up four more accidents in which important artifacts have been damaged.

Aug 5: Allegations circulate online that five rare Song Dynasty letters being stored by the Palace Museum had appeared at an auction in 2005.

Aug 9: Media report that a rosewood bird-and-flower wall panel with jade inlay, part of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) collection, was soaked and damaged during repair work.

Aug 9: Reports circulate that the museum gave hush money to people who witnessed employees dividing up ticket revenue in 2009. The amount was said to be about 100,000 yuan ($15,880).

Aug 18: Someone claiming to be an insider reports the loss of ancient books from the museum library.