looted artifacts in museums

[MAXlMUS]

thousands of foreign relics lie in mainly british and french museums, some of them being very famous : the rosetta stone, the 'elgin' marbles of the parthenon, the bust of nefertiti, the benin bronzes, the statue of the tetrarchs, and countless other priceless finds from other civilizations, be they mesopotamian, east asian or mesoamerican.

considering these were 'discovered' (i.e. looted) in the colonial period, what excuse is there not to repatriate them? the museums often claim them to be part of 'world' heritage, but not having any serious ancient civilization of your own is a poor excuse to keep them (no, a pile of rocks lined up in a circle doesn't count)

thoughts/views on this?

[Angrychris]

Lots of museums have stolen or looted pieces provided by from the state or wealthy. Its not new and will not stop anytime soon.

[MrDogbert]

Dont really mind give them back if they want them badly but i dont know if i would give them back to anywhere they could be destroyed.

No need to go for a weak attack on France and the British.

[Faramir D'Andunie]

You really don't want to open this can of worms.
In before "But we saved them and preserved them from savages" silly argument arises once again.


The ideal solution would be simply to try to get the permission to exhibit them from the respective countries. If anything who doesn't want to have relics of their past beeing admired in foreign countries.

[MrDogbert]

Iraq and Iran both have a long long history and should have their historic items given back to them. But at a time where they may be targets for destruction to fit some groups political aims.

Why the British museums should still be keeping anything from greece and egypt is silly in this day and age.

[MAXlMUS]

Iraq and Iran both have a long long history and should have their historic items given back to them. But at a time where they may be targets for destruction to fit some groups political aims.

Why the British museums should still be keeping anything from greece and egypt is silly in this day and age.

no both countries (iran irak)were interested in the preservation of their national heritage. it's only when the usa invaded baghdad that the us army forgot to protect the national museum (initially), opening the way for it to be looted for a few days.

the only case i can think of is the talibans destroing the giant boudha statues of bayman...

[Batavian]

no both countries (iran irak)were interested in the preservation of their national heritage. it's only when the usa invaded baghdad that the us army forgot to protect the national museum (initially), opening the way for it to be looted for a few days.

the only case i can think of is the talibans destroing the giant boudha statues of bayman...

I think you answered your own question Maximus. If the choices are to have these items in troubled areas of the world or in relatively stable areas where they can be protected and enjoyed by all, I'd much prefer the latter. Better they be displayed so all can enjoy versus sitting in someone's private collection or destroyed

[MAXlMUS]

I think you answered your own question Maximus. If the choices are to have these items in troubled areas of the world or in relatively stable areas where they can be protected and enjoyed by all, I'd much prefer the latter. Better they be displayed so all can enjoy versus sitting in someone's private collection or destroyed

haha, i guess i agree

[Dr. Oza]

many times these museums keep their stolen loot in their vaults for a few decades then pull them out... the getty in LA almost got away with it a few years ago...

[MrDogbert]

Still groups in iraq who would be happy to destory them if it got them on the news.

[MathiasOfAthens]

Iran does not protect ancient Persian ruins or artefacts, so how much do you want to bet that some islamic extremist in Syria, Iraq or Egypt doesnt destroy these artefacts you want returned. They better off where they are since the empires and the people they belonged to no longer exist today.

[HansDuet]

looted artifacts in museums

Should stay there.

[Exarch]

thousands of foreign relics lie in mainly british and french museums, some of them being very famous : the rosetta stone, the 'elgin' marbles of the parthenon, the bust of nefertiti, the benin bronzes, the statue of the tetrarchs, and countless other priceless finds from other civilizations, be they mesopotamian, east asian or mesoamerican.

considering these were 'discovered' (i.e. looted) in the colonial period, what excuse is there not to repatriate them? the museums often claim them to be part of 'world' heritage, but not having any serious ancient civilization of your own is a poor excuse to keep them (no, a pile of rocks lined up in a circle doesn't count)

thoughts/views on this?

it depends on which country and by what nature in colonialism said items were looted, and if said country can guarantee that that particular artifact will be well preserved and safe in its own borders.

that means the loot which was looted from the Summer Palace in China should be returned to China,

[René Artois]

I think "looted" is a bit strong in many cases. Many probably would not have been found if it wasn't for the colonisation, or at least they would only be being found recently. Plus, in this day and age, if any country made a claim for something such as the Rosetta stone from the British Museum, I doubt they would be able to hang on to it in the face of pressure from the whole world. It is because of this I believe artefacts that are being looked after in a museum, again like the Rosetta Stone, should stay there unless it can be guaranteed that they will be looked after as well and appreciated as much in it's "true country".

[Exarch]

i dont mind about artefacts in musems where everyone can share in its wonder, but i really think ppl who've got such ill gotten artifacts in private collections should really think about 'donating' it back to said country

[MathiasOfAthens]

i dont mind about artefacts in musems where everyone can share in its wonder, but i really think ppl who've got such ill gotten artifacts in private collections should really think about 'donating' it back to said country

Or donated to museums so more people can enjoy them.

[gaunty14]

to quote Indiania, "It belongs in a museum"

personally I don't care, but if the items were returned wouldn't they likley just be bunged into another museum or an archive.

[Dr. Oza]

first of all people in these countries didnt care about the past before... i mean... it was only romantic era europeans who glorified it so much that they had to go find it.. but in this day and era.. it is looting.. mesopotamian relics belong to iraq, taking them away is looting... same with iran and ancient persian stuff... first of all.. they dont destroy it.. second of all.. why do europeans who have nothing to do with it have to have a say ?

[gaunty14]

.......finders Keepers?

[PointOfViewGun]

How are you gonna define what belongs to who? According to ancestry, location the artifact found or ownership?