Elgin Marbles return or retain?

[Archie_tect]

Yebbut, is "they wouldn't have looked after it properly" a legitimate defence against a charge of theft?

It was the Athenian Museum staff who said it... at least the marbles still exist to give back.
+ it's time to give the looted Egyptian artefacts back too, but where do you stop? ...does the Monarch have legitimate rights over all treasure found in the UK?

 

[Moodyman]

We could add the Koh-i-Noor to the list of things swiped from abroad.

Whilst Greece does not have the political and economic clout, India increasingly does and I reckon they will have to be returned at some point. It's a sore point in the Indian national psyche.

 

[matticus]

It was the Athenian Museum staff who said it... at least the marbles still exist to give back.
+ it's time to give the looted Egyptian artefacts back too, but where do you stop? ...does the Monarch have legitimate rights over all treasure found in the UK?

Yes, it's difficult to find a simple line in the sand.

If you were involved - e.g. as medical/humanitarian help - in a civil war abroad, and could see a library about to be bombed/bulldozed, would it be wrong to shove an ancient tome up your jumper, then deposit it with the British Museum when you get home?

 

[BoldonLad]

Copies of the marbles could be cast in limestone resin and replaced in their original positions, thereby preventing further erosion of the originals but so much work would need to be done to the Acropolis to enable them to be structurally safe, that isn't a realistic option. Whether people are looking at accurate copies or the originals behind glass is immaterial... a lot of fuss over something that doesn't really matter as long as the originals are being preserved to the best of the curator's ability for future generations to enjoy.

The voice of reason. Only problem is, that leaves nothing to moan about with respect to the wicked British and their Empire, but, otherwise, an excellent solution IMHO.

 

[Ian H]

The voice of reason. Only problem is, that leaves nothing to moan about with respect to the wicked British and their Empire, but, otherwise, an excellent solution IMHO.

Point of order: the current complaint is about the marauding Lord Elgin, not the rapacious British Empire.

 

[BoldonLad]

Point of order: the current complaint is about the marauding Lord Elgin, not the rapacious British Empire.

Pendant

 

[Ian H]

Pendant

I'm hanging on your every word.

 

[qigong chimp]

Has it been suggested that the Director of the British Museum and the Greek Minister of Culture settle this dispute over a game of...

 

[mudsticks]

Has it been suggested that the Director of the British Museum and the Greek Minister of Culture settle this dispute over a game of...

Spin the bottle ??

 

[qigong chimp]

Er...

 

[mudsticks]

Er...

Deck quoits ??

 

[Archie_tect]

I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with...

 

[mudsticks]

I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with...

Emm.??


- Musical chairs

 

[Archie_tect]

...mudsticks.

 

[mudsticks]

... Mornington Crescent.