Should Ancient Artifacts Be Returned to Their Countries of Origin?
For many years, there has been a continuous removal of artistic treasures from their locations of origin to new locations both through conquest or acts of invasion. Thus, the process of acquiring the cultural artifacts could be either felony or illegal. The social unrest has made many decorative features to have their distribution in specific museums and archives around the world (National Geographic). It means that the host international locations are benefitting from the ancient works from other nations, a be counted of considerable controversy. Thus, Countries such as Egypt and Greece are even demanding a return of their inventive features kept in different countries. They feel that people robbed them their super national treasures either by force or because of a weakened regime that allowed the artifacts to leave their countries. Hence, the paper explores the treasure wars controversy deeply, to determine whether the objects should head back to their countries of origin or remain kept at their current locations. There has to be an argument for and against the issue, with the paper outlining a specific stand at the end.
The Case for Returning Ancient Artifacts
It is essential to return the ancient artifacts to their countries of origin since they represent the country's ancient culture and civilization. Artifacts that are sources of great controversy include the Rosette Stone that originated from Egypt and the Parthenon that originated from Greece. The objects are currently kept in the British Museum. Dr. Hawas, an Egyptian official, stated that the Rosetta Stone is an icon of their Egyptian identity (National Geographic). He believes that the expression of ancient Egyptian art could best happen in Cairo, but not in the British Museum. People would understand and relate better to the ancient Egyptian art if the Rosetta Stone had its display in Cairo (National Geographic). Moreover, visitors to the Athens Museum would have a better connection of the ancient Greek culture and the happenings of the collapse of the temple if all the Parthenon marbles had their display in Athens. According to Dimitri Pandemolese, if people could see all the artifacts together, then there could be a better narrative (National Geographic).
Another reason why the artifacts should have their way back into their countries of origin is that some of them might have an illegal acquisition. Some of them fell into the hands of thieves who sold them expensively to the end users. Hence, they are smuggled for cash, and even one former art smuggler confessed that theft of art is the second oldest profession in the world (National Geographic). Thus, it is morally right for host governments such as Britain to consider returning the artifacts to their countries of origin. The British acquired the Rosetta Stone out of military conquest, meaning that they defeated the French, who first discovered the ancient stone (Khan Academy). They found that the rock had great significance and decided to ship it to their country. It would be right if the British respected the fact that they found the stone in Egypt. Probably, they could have built a unique museum in Egypt and studied it from there. The British took the artifact because they had a competitive advantage over their French rivals and the hosts Egyptians were too weak to defend themselves.
It is as well essential to return the artifacts to their countries of origin since they form a perfect foundation of a potential tourist trade. Thus, the artifacts should bring revenue to their countries of origin. It is not fair for another country to benefit from the treasures of another nation because they acquired it out of military prowess or because they had better technology than the host country. The British gained the Rosetta Stone about two centuries ago, and they may think that it is unfair to return it to their host countries but now that we have the resources to do that, they ought to reconsider their arguments.
The Case for Keeping Artifacts in Current Locations
On the contrary, it is best if the artifacts remained in the countries where they currently are because of some reasons. The first reason is by Hannah Bolton, the spokesperson for the British Museum who says that artifacts like the Rosetta Stone are essential objects to all humanity (National Geographic). She says that it is essential for everyone to have access to it and that the British Museum is a place where anyone can learn about different world civilizations. The British museum director also supports Hannah's ideas by saying that the British and the French have contributed to what the Rosetta Stone is. It took work and knowledge and so, the British are entitled to a metaphysical ownership (National Geographic). If the British or the French did not bother making the artifact, probably we would not know what we know about the Rosetta stone today. Moreover, the British have protected both the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Marbles from vandalism.
Conclusion
In my view, I believe that it is morally right for ancient artifacts to find their way back into their countries of origin. Those who created the artifacts probably made them send their message to the subsequent generations of the respective countries. Moreover, most of the artifacts were stolen or taken because some countries such as Britain had better military capabilities. I also believe that the artifacts are part of the area's history, and should, therefore, find their way back to their countries of origin.
Works Cited
Khan Academy. "The Rosetta Stone." 8 Aug. 2017, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/world-history-beginnings/ancient/v/rosetta-stone-196-b-c-e.
Khan Academy. "Parthenon (Acropolis)." 4 May 2017, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art/classical/v/parthenon.
National Geographic. "Treasure Wars: Overview | National Geographic." 18 Mar. 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2lGID9t6VM.
National Geographic. "Egypt Wants its Treasures Back | National Geographic." 7 Feb. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxbICL4W_GY.
