The story of the Elgin Marbles’ removal begins in the early 19th century with Thomas Bruce, the seventh Earl of Elgin, who was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, which then controlled Greece. Between 1801 and 1812, Elgin obtained permission from the Ottoman authorities to remove pieces of the Parthenon sculptures. His intention was to preserve these artifacts from further damage, as the Parthenon had suffered significant deterioration over the centuries, including an explosion in 1687 when it was used as a gunpowder store by the Ottomans.
Elgin’s agents removed about half of the surviving sculptures from the Parthenon, as well as pieces from other structures on the Acropolis, and shipped them to Britain. The legality of Elgin’s actions has been a subject of intense debate. While Elgin claimed he had obtained the necessary permissions, critics argue that the Ottomans, as occupiers, had no right to authorize the removal of Greek cultural heritage.
In 1816, after much controversy and a Parliamentary inquiry, the British government purchased the marbles from Elgin for £35,000 and placed them in the British Museum. The Greek government has repeatedly requested the return of the marbles, arguing they are an essential part of Greece’s cultural heritage and should be reunited with the remaining sculptures in Athens.
Critics of Elgin’s actions argue the removal of the marbles was illegal and unethical. Elgin’s methods have been described as looting rather than preservation. The Greek government and many international scholars believe the marbles were taken under dubious circumstances and should be returned to their rightful home.
The Elgin Marbles are not just any artifacts; they are integral to the Parthenon, a symbol of ancient Greek civilization and democracy. Reuniting the marbles with the remaining sculptures in the Acropolis Museum in Athens would restore the integrity of this iconic monument. The Acropolis Museum, which opened in 2009, was specifically designed to house the Parthenon sculptures and provide a contextual setting that the British Museum cannot replicate.
Returning the Elgin Marbles would set a positive precedent for the repatriation of cultural artifacts and improve international relations. It would demonstrate a commitment to rectifying historical wrongs and respecting the cultural heritage of other nations. This gesture could pave the way for resolving other disputes over cultural property and foster greater cooperation between museums and countries of origin.
The Elgin Marbles are not the only artifacts in the British Museum that have been the subject of repatriation requests. Several other significant items have similarly contentious histories. The Benin Bronzes for example are a collection of plaques and sculptures from the Kingdom of Benin (modern-day Nigeria), which were looted by British forces during the Benin Expedition of 1897. The bronzes are considered some of the finest examples of African art, and Nigeria has long sought their return.
The Rosetta Stone is an ancient Egyptian artifact that played a crucial role in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. Discovered in 1799 near the town of Rosetta (modern-day Rashid) by French soldiers, the stone is a granodiorite stele inscribed with a decree issued in 196 BC during the reign of Ptolemy V. The inscription on the Rosetta Stone is written in three scripts, hieroglyphs, demotic (a common script of Egypt) and crucially ancient Greek (the language of the administration at the time). By comparing the texts, scholars were able to unlock the meaning of the hieroglyphs. The stone is currently housed in the British Museum in London, where it has been on display since 1802. Egypt has repeatedly requested its return, arguing that it is a vital piece of their cultural heritage.
Despite the controversies, there have been instances where the British Museum and other institutions have returned artifacts to their countries of origin. The Gweagal Shield is an Aboriginal Australian shield, taken during Captain Cook’s first voyage to Australia. It was returned to the Gweagal people in 2016. The shield is a significant cultural artifact, representing the first contact between Indigenous Australians and Europeans.
In 2019, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London agreed to return a lock of hair belonging to Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia, taken during the British expedition to Maqdala in 1868.
Returning the Elgin Marbles to Greece would not only rectify a historical injustice but also strengthen cultural ties and set a precedent for the repatriation of other significant artifacts.
