Parthenon Marbles
One of the most popular themes of the past century, in regard to cultural heritage and its protection, is the issue of ownership and restitution of cultural property of ancient civilisations taken from their country of origin. This issue of ownership can be argued on both legal and moral grounds, often making disputes ongoing and complex. One of the most renown and longstanding disputes is between Greece and the British Museum over the Parthenon Marbles. In the 19th century, Lord Elgin removed Marble sculptures from the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens and sold them to the British Museum where they have been on display since. Arguments of both legal and moral standing have been put forward by both parties, in regard to where the Marbles
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However this does not mean that looted or illegal procurement of artefacts should continue to be overlooked, especially in regard to museum collections. Like the Marbles, the Rosetta Stone is another ancient artefact believed to have been illegally obtained and is now housed in the British Museum and not in its place of provenance, Egypt. According to Dr Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, "If the British want to be remembered, if they want to restore their reputation, they should volunteer to return the Rosetta Stone because it is the icon of our Egyptian identity.” With many successful examples of artefacts being returned to their origin, including the Swiss government who returned 45 boxes of Etruscan artefacts to Italy, museums should consider returning believed stolen artefacts to their provenance as it is morally right, many have a deep cultural significance to their origin, and we know have the resources to safely move them back.
While both Greece and the British Museum have interesting points and arguments to make, it is clear that the Parthenon Marbles case is not just a legal and moral one, but it also touches the heart of the Greek nation. Artefacts and ancient monuments are vital part of a nation’s identity and cultural heritage, because they are a representation of a nation's past that has shaped the culture into what it is today. Therefore the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece, as they a strong symbol of Greece’s identity that have been incomplete for hundreds of
However this does not mean that looted or illegal procurement of artefacts should continue to be overlooked, especially in regard to museum collections. Like the Marbles, the Rosetta Stone is another ancient artefact believed to have been illegally obtained and is now housed in the British Museum and not in its place of provenance, Egypt. According to Dr Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, "If the British want to be remembered, if they want to restore their reputation, they should volunteer to return the Rosetta Stone because it is the icon of our Egyptian identity.” With many successful examples of artefacts being returned to their origin, including the Swiss government who returned 45 boxes of Etruscan artefacts to Italy, museums should consider returning believed stolen artefacts to their provenance as it is morally right, many have a deep cultural significance to their origin, and we know have the resources to safely move them back.
While both Greece and the British Museum have interesting points and arguments to make, it is clear that the Parthenon Marbles case is not just a legal and moral one, but it also touches the heart of the Greek nation. Artefacts and ancient monuments are vital part of a nation’s identity and cultural heritage, because they are a representation of a nation's past that has shaped the culture into what it is today. Therefore the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece, as they a strong symbol of Greece’s identity that have been incomplete for hundreds of