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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Brit Museum Refuses to Lose Its Marbles

Museum refuses to sanction Elgin's deeds

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(Newser) – Tension between Greek and British museum officials over ownership of the famous Elgin marbles bubbled over this week, reports the Guardian. With the New Acropolis Museum set to open in Athens, Greece is refusing to accede to British terms concerning the loan of the classical treasure. The British Museum offered a 3-4 month loan and an acknowledgment of their ownership, as is traditional for museum loans.

The Athenian culture minister, however, insisted that not only was this not enough time, but that acknowledging ownership would be equivalent to sanctioning their theft. "[A]greeing to the condition [of ownership] would be like sanctifying Elgin's deeds and legitimizing the theft of the marbles...No Greek government could accept that," he said. Top British officials, including the Queen, have declined to attend the museum's opening.

Workers set cobblestones on a pedestrian street outside the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, a month before the official opening of the grandiose building.
Workers set cobblestones on a pedestrian street outside the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, a month before the official opening of the grandiose building.   (AP Photo/ Petros Giannakouris)
Ancient bronze vessels and other items repatriated from Germany, Belgium and Britain in Athens. Authorities have stepped up repatriation efforts ahead of the New Acropolis Museum opening.
Ancient bronze vessels and other items repatriated from Germany, Belgium and Britain in Athens. Authorities have stepped up repatriation efforts ahead of the New Acropolis Museum opening.   (AP Photo)
Culture Minister Andonis Samaras speaks in Athens on May 20, 2009. Greece hopes to house ancient cultural artifacts such as the Elgin Marbles, which were taken to other countries in times gone by.
Culture Minister Andonis Samaras speaks in Athens on May 20, 2009. Greece hopes to house ancient cultural artifacts such as the Elgin Marbles, which were taken to other countries in times gone by.   (AP Photo/ Petros Giannakouris)
Workers and archaeologists are silhouetted against the ancient Parthenon temple, in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, on Tuesday Sept. 16, 2008.
Workers and archaeologists are silhouetted against the ancient Parthenon temple, in the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, on Tuesday Sept. 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A view of the Acropolis in Athens.
A view of the Acropolis in Athens.   (©darkensiva)
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It is clear from Mr Samaras's statement that he does not recognise the British Museum's legal ownership of the sculptures in our collection, which makes any meaningful discussion on loans virtually impossible. - Hannah Boulton, British Museum

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5 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 14, 09 3:16 PM CDT
Looks like the Brits want to keep their marbles, and the Greeks have lost theirs. Reply
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flame821
Jun 14, 09 6:52 PM CDT
Oiy, we're going to see stuff like this more and more often. Who do archeological treasures 'belong' to? The people who find them? The Museums/Schools that sponsor them? Or the Countries they are found in? I am unaware of any legal precedent at this time, although I'm fairly certain Egypt is leading the charge on this one and has asked for all its archeological treasures to be returned. Reply
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Timinator2K
Jun 14, 09 8:33 PM CDT
Imagine that! Countries legitimately requesting that their national and cultural treasures to be returned...makes Merry Old England seem like the cultural thieves they are...along with all other nations who have plundered to stock their museums. For the record, Lord Elgin bought the Parthenon friezes fair and square...from the Turks who happened to occupy Greece at the time...and the Greeks were none to happy about the transaction with a third conquering party. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
kokuaguy
Jun 15, 09 3:59 AM CDT
Mahalo, Tim. I'm going to Google for more info.
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lindamae
Jun 14, 09 11:03 PM CDT
These marbles were slated to be destroyed in order to build new roads, I read. If so, the Greeks should be thankful Elgin took the initiative to buy them, house them and finally convince the British Museum to take them into their hands. He is to be applauded. Reply
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