Karl Marx's grave in a London cemetery was found defaced Tuesday. The tombstone at Highgate Cemetery in northern London was found with the marble hacked away apparently by someone armed with a hammer, and was likely vandalized in recent days. 

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The 19th century German revolutionary socialist, author of "Das Kapital" and co-author of the "Communist Manifesto," lived in London from 1849 until his death in 1883. The monument, which is among a list of British structures of exceptional historical interest, appeared to have been attacked in the last few days, the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust said Tuesday.

The group called the attack a "particularly inarticulate form of political comment."

"This is mindless vandalism, not political commentary," Ian Dungavell, chief executive of Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust, said, BBC reported. "You don't have to be a Marxist to think this is an important monument." 

Video shot by Reuters showed chips and scratches to the marble gravestone, damaging epitaphs to Marx, his wife and grandson. His memorial has been attacked in the past with paint and, in the most extreme case, an attempt was made to destroy it with a pipe bomb in 1970.

Police said after making initial inquiries, officers have decided to close the investigation unless further information comes to light, BBC reported.