The return to Greece of a spectacular Macedonian gold wreath from the 4th
century BC may lead to the repatriation of several looted artefacts worth
millions of pounds.
Court cases in Italy and Greece are increasing the pressure on museums around
the world and could lead to widespread changes in the handling of ancient
treasures.
The campaign to return stolen work to its country of origin has emboldened
Costas Karamanlis, the Prime Minister of Greece, to predict that Britain
will soon be forced to surrender the Elgin Marbles. Also at stake are
hundreds of statues, bronzes, engravings and other artworks from museums in
Europe, the US and Japan.
At the heart of this revolution is the landmark case of the funerary wreath,
one of the most beautiful surviving examples of ancient craftsmanship, which
was looted from Greece more than ten years ago. A delicate spray of gold
leaves interwoven with coloured glass paste, the wreath was probably
designed as a funeral gift and made soon after the death of Alexander the
Great.
It was put on display in Greece for the first time this week after a long
campaign to persuade the J. Paul Getty Museum, in California, to return it
to its homeland.
Mr Karamanlis welcomed its return as evidence that Britain would soon be
forced to relinquish the Elgin Marbles, which were acquired by the British
diplomat Lord Elgin between 1801 and 1810 and are currently housed in the
British Museum. Britain has argued that they are better preserved in London.
“The ecumenical demand for uniting the marbles of the Parthenon is gaining in
strength and reach,” Mr Karamanlis said on Thursday at the National
Archaeological Museum in Athens. The return by Germany and Sweden of two
other fragments from the Acropolis “evaporate the vague excuses for their
nonreturn”, he said.
The gold wreath was described by the magazine Newsweek as the “most
stunning artwork” in the Getty collection, one of the world’s richest
institutions. Greece has charged Marion True, the former curator at the
Getty, with buying the looted artefacts illegally.
Ms True, 57, one of the world’s foremost authorities on ancient artefacts, is
also on trial in Italy, accused of buying 42 items stolen allegedly from
Italian archaeological sites.
The dispute has prompted intense debate over what constitutes a “national
treasure”, and which institutions can best preserve antiquities.
The Getty Museum agreed to return the wreath, and three other items including
the marble torso of a woman, after being shown evidence of their provenance
by the Greek culture ministry. A 2,400-year-old limestone grave marker and a
marble votive relief were returned last August.
The case against Ms True hinges partly on a letter that she wrote in 1992 to
the Getty board, stating that the wreath was “too dangerous for us to get
involved with”. A year later, however, she advised the board to buy the
wreath through a Swiss dealer, Christoph Leon, for $1.15 million (£580,000).
Mr Leon is also on trial in Greece. Ms True’s lawyer denies that she
engineered the deal to make it appear legitimate.
The Greek and Italian governments have recently moved to clamp down on illegal
trafficking. Many of the disputed items are believed to have been looted
from the Etruscan necropolis of Cerveteri, north of Rome. In 1995, Swiss
police raided a warehouse in Geneva and recovered photographs that
apparently showed items that had been sold already by the looters.
Ms True, who is married to a French professor of architecture, spent millions
of dollars buying high-profile artwork on behalf of the Getty Museum.
Her trial in Rome, on charges of conspiracy to smuggle antiquities and
receiving stolen goods, began more than a year ago. Ms True has accused the
Getty of leaving her to carry the burden of the museum’s acquisition
practices alone. She has accused her former employer of lacking “courage and
integrity”, and claimed that her superiors at the museum “were all fully
aware of the risks involved in buying antiquities”.
After months of bargaining, the Getty agreed to return to Italy 26 of the 42
items that Ms True is accused of buying illegally, but the two sides remain
deadlocked over the remaining artefacts. Ms True, 57, faces up to ten years
in prison if convicted in either Greece or Italy.
One witness at the trial in Rome is Pietro Casasanta, an unashamed looter of
ancient sites who claimed that the authorities had never interfered with his
illegal activities previously. “No one bothered us, starting with the
police,” he said. “For 50 years we were experts in archaeology, and then,
from one day to the next, we became common thieves.”
It is notoriously difficult to identify the provenance of ancient artefacts.
One of the disputed items in the Getty is a rare bronze statue of a youth
from around 300BC, known as the Statue of a Victorious Youth. This
was dredged up off the coast of Yugoslavia by Italian fishermen in 1964, who
sold it. The object was shipped to Brazil, Britain, and Germany, where it
was bought by Getty himself. “The bronze is a claim without any merit,”
Michael Brand, director of the Getty, said recently.
The Getty has already been forced to return objects worth millions, and may
have to surrender more. “The economic value is of little consequence,” said
Maurizio Fiorilli, the Italian federal prosecutor in the trafficking
investigation. “What is important is the gain Getty will derive on the
ethical plane. Moral gain is the reward.”
Hand it back
Elgin Marbles
Ever since 1820 the Greek Government has claimed that marbles should be
returned to Athens on moral grounds, and a new Acropolis Museum has now been
completed, leaving space for the missing parts of the Parthenon. The British
Museum, however, argues that it is a world heritage centre, with a cultural
collection spanning the globe.
Treasures of the Incas
The Peruvian Government has demanded the return, from Yale University, of all
the artefacts taken from Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham, the American
explorer who discovered the Inca city on the Yale Peruvian Expedition of
1911.
Mummy Mask
Egypt has threatened legal action against the Saint Louis Art Museum to
recover a 3,200-year-old funerary mask, believed to be that of
Ka-Nefer-Nefer, a noblewoman from the time of Rameses II. The museum
obtained the relic in 1998, but Egypt claims it was stolen from the Egyptian
Museum in Cairo.
Bones
Last year the Natural History Museum agreed to repatriate the remains of
Australian aborigines, part of the vast collection of human remains from
around the world held in the museum. The museum opted to keep the bones,
teeth and other specimens for several more months to conduct scientific
tests, but a Tasmanian group is now suing, saying the tests would desecrate
the corpses.
Euphronios Krater
The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art has agreed to return to Italy an
ancient Greek vase for mixing wine and water known as the Euphronios Krater.
The krater was purchased in 1971 for a record-breaking $1 million, but Italy
claimed it was dug up from an Etruscan tomb just months before the sale.
And how about Austria giving Mexico back Moctezuma´s feather headdress? Mexico has repeatedly asked Austria for it, saying they would give Austria the copy currently in the Anthropological Museum in Mexico City but Austria refuses to do the honest thing and give it back. There is a long history of countries like Britain, the US, France, etc just going into other countries like Mexico and Egypt. and helping themselves (read "stealing") whatever antiquities they wanted . They never had permission to take anything and in many cases never even had permits to even be there! My cousin is an archeologist for Harvard and says that archeologists have a history of just grabbing (stealing) whatever they want from countries where they go on digs.
Clayton, Mexico city, Mexico
I wish reply to "Mr" Wilkinson's Claims about Modern greeks having nothing to do with ancient Greeks. One of teh first things they teach history stduents is that the easyest and most secure way to track a people national heritage is to look at their language. Moden greek language is a direct ascendant of the ancient greek language, in grammar, vocabulary as well as spelling.
Language also shows which nations the people under investigation came in contact with. In this case ottomans, slavs, albanians, italians.
When you bring the DNA into play you must be very very carefull, because DNA CHANGES and EVOLVES through something called EVOLUTION with its main tool being NATURAL SELECTION.
I am afraid "Mr" Wilkinson that moden Greeks are Direct ascendants of teh ancient greeks despite what your "Arian/nazi" propaganda may say.
George Maragkopoulos, Triakala, Greece
U.K must show her role as a world heritage center and return the stolen marbles of Parthenon .
Demetrios Kalfas , Athens ,
The Marbles were procured with the approval of the de facto government of Greece at the time. Would the present Greek government claim that all trade with Istanbul (Constantinople) should be forfeited to Athens? Perhaps Mr. Karamanlis could show some sincerity by apologising for the depredations of the Greek (Macedonian) Empire.
Kevin, London,
"Hellenes/Greeks are the people who have the hellenic/greek education". And I would like to add that hellenic works of art are those who have been inspired by the hellenic spirit.
Modern museology demands to "reunite a unity". Is there another place to do that, than the attic sky?
Spyros Koulouris, Florence, Italy
Elgin marbles belong to the Parthenon Temple.
Nobody should move them. They MUST be there. For we have to respect monuments and artifacts of all peoples.
Blood and DNA are not related to ethicity at least within a race (white, red, yellow, black). Let us Greeks controlling FYROM's education system to proof you wrong.
Istor Macedonian, THESSALONIKI, GREECE
This issue has been debated long enough. It is time for the British Government and British Museum to do what is right. To send back to Athens the Parthenon sculptures removed from the temple by Lord Elgin. The sculptures do not belong in the British Museum -- they are out of place there, especially with a brand new Museum on the foothills of the Acropolis waiting to receive them. Enough is enough!
DENNIS MENOS, Chevy Chase, MD USA
All I have to say is that we had enough history lessons from Modern Greeks, about "who" they are - trying so hard to convince other Nations - and themselves above all. Have a look at their (artistically magnificent) opening ceremony at the latest games. Who needs a constant reminder he is inferior? As for the language, this is not a valid argument, as it is the languange which dominated for too long the arts and sciences. How about a DNA comparison of Modern Greeks with the ancient bones?
John Wilkinson, Athens, Greece
The time is close,the answers will be given to those who believe that it is better for the Parthenon marbles to stay in the B.M. when they see what it is prepared for them,and how the Hellenes treat their cultural heritage.You don't have to be a scientist to realize that a monument should stay in one piece.Can you imagine Mona Lisa in several pieces?A hand there,an eye there,a nose in another museum?I don't believe there is a country in the region (Europe united or not) that needs other country's artifacts.Are we so cheap?and can't afford an airplane ticket of 150 € to visit the Eiffel tower?Let's all take from a little part and explain to the French people that it is "For the best!" 2007 gentlemen and as I can see all from the "civilized" part of the planet,and look what are we talking about....Shame on us....
Zacharias Z, Piraeus, Hellas
I could imagine Mr John Wilkinson as a British consul in Ottoman Greece, preaching the doctrine of "Integrity of the Sultan's empire" and secretly collaborating with the local pasha in order to crush any revolt of the Greeks. This person clearly considers modern Greeks inferior beings, allowing only Britain the honour to host the marbles. I believe Lord Elgin's rationale was more or less the same.
Damian, Patras, Greece
The answer to Mr John Wilkinson's question (that commented on what Modern Greece has to do with the Encient one) is more than simple and obvious. The LANGUAGE we speak and the way we ACT. Greeks are not in any persuit of identity believe me. Being conquered by a foreigh force can change you and this country has declined indeed compaired to the ancient glory, but NEVER lost it's identity. It has always been located where it is located, spoke the language we speak and used the literature and names we use and we always (until today) used to fight with each other and unite towards the outside. We still believe in ideals and ideas more than action and talk more than we act. This is the greek reality and this has been it for 4000 years of history. We still believe as Greek anyone that has received greek education and this has been going on for centuries. We are not the direct descendands of Aristotle but this common culture & tradition keeps us closed to ourselfs but united, for centuries.
Constantinos Bikos, Athens, Greece
The return of the elgin marbles is indeed a question of morality. Unfortunately for some the moral issue in question is NATIONAL CONCIENCE. Greek National concience has been present there since the ancient greeks and it has carried through in one way or the other to Modern times,
The Parthenon is a symbol not only for modern greeks (who are directly related to ancient greeks, linguists can confirm that) but for the entire world. It represents the art, architecture, religion, culture of an entire era that is admired by many. As such they are GLOBAL.
The truth is though that they belong foremost to the people who's ancestors created them. These marbles are a PART of modern greek National Concience. For this reason they belong first and formost to the greek people. To see them in hands of scholars (for all their merits) that do not treasure them as such feels like a little part of Greece is occupied and held hostage.
The marbles belong to nation that gave birth to them. And thats that
George Maragkopoulos, Coventry, West Midlands.
Greece wants the Parthenon marbles back because they are part of the national heritage. The marbles have been stolen from Parthenon. The monumet is in Acropolis (Athens, Greece) and NOT to the British Museum!
All those in England who still belive that the marbles should be stay in British Museum, probably they think that british colonialism still exists! Let us hope that they are a minority.
V. Tasoulas, Athens, Greece
I would like to hear how an American citizen could feel if the Japannese army was the winner on the Second W.War, and decide to moove the Statue of Liberty in Tokyo.(or sale it to another Nation or Museum)
And please consider that we are talking only for 2-3 hundred years of History, and not for some thousands.
As concern the identiy of the people who live in Greece today, if someone has some arguments, he must consider about his education level.
George Sarantides, Athens, Greece
I don't see what the argument's basis is. Actually, what Modern Greece has to do with the ancient one? Why Greeks keep insisting that Parthenon is THEIR Nations' symbol? Modern Greece is a new (not even 200 years old) Balcan country, an ex province of the Ottoman Empire and of the Eastern Roman Empire. Have you ever heard any Italian declaring that he is a direct descendant of Julius Caesar? Everybody would laugh. So why the Greeks carry on? My feeling is that modern Greeks are only trying to to build a fake national identity as they have none - to put it simply they have a peasant Balcan one. Looks like they are not capable to look at the truth of today, thus they are using the ancient Greece's past as a pedestal to boost their macho morale in the "look at me" way. This is at least unfair.
John Wilkinson, Athens, Greece
Something needs to be clarified. The reason Greece wants the Parthenon marbles back is not just because they are ancient and they belong here etc, etc.
The Parthenon (other than the most important monument in Europe) is the symbol of Greece. Symbols cannot be exhibited abroad. It is like somebody having your flag and you are left with nothing to wave.
Imagine the Queen living in Chicago. Doesn't sound right, does it?
Bottom line:
Historical value is a huge and complex factor but is dwarfed by symbolical value.
We don't want all our ancient stuff back, just our symbol.
Tasos Katsikas, Athens, Greece
I urge those who believe that the Partenon Marbles were legally acquired by Lord Elgin to search out and read the Hansard record of the Commons Debate of 1816. Readers will then understand how wrong it was of Lord Elgin to do what he did. British Parliamentarians of that time described Elgin's acts thus:-"availing himself as an English Ambassador to facilitate the acuisition" "mode in which the collection has been acquired partook the nature of spoliation" "dishonesty of the transactionby which the collection was obtained" "regretted that the government had not restrained this act of spoliation---return the bribe which our ambassador had received, to his own dishonour etc" "Elgin had not acted as he ought to have done - obtained the firmaun out of favour---the firmaun could do nothing without bribery--guilt of spoliation" "unjustifiable nature of the transaction etc" These are official word for word statements and cannot be disputed. The purchase was without doubt illegal.
Bruce Blades, Wellington, New Zealand
The argument that the 'Parthenon Marbles' were obtained "legally" and there is therefore no obligation to return them to their place of origin is ludicrous. Permission to take the marbles of the Parthenon was given by the occupying Ottomans. To put things into context imagine that parts of the Arc de Triomphe were purchased and dismantled during the Nazi occupation and were subsequently exhibited in the British museum. In this situation, would we be as accepting of an argument based on the legality of the sale?
Steve, Sydney, Australia
There is no argument that the Elgin Marbles were obtained legally and lawfully, and in full accordance with historic customs and traditions. To demand that they be returned to Greece on "moral" grounds is ludicrous, for "morals" change from generation to generation.
The Elgin Marbles, acquired in 1806 and placed in the British Museum in 1816, simply cannot be compared to recent acquisition of the Getty, the New York Metropolitan, et al. In recent cases, even the buyers were aware of the dubious provenance.
Bob Evans, Anaheim, California
We are Greeks because we have Greek names, toponyms, ways, heroes, gods, dialect and we are proud of that campaign that Macedonians did to spread Greek Language and Civilization to the World. For the same reasons Macedonians have always been Greeks.
Blood and DNA are not related to ethnicity at least witih a race. If you don't believe me let us Greeks controlling FYROM's education system. We will not change "Macedonian"' blood.
The Greek part of Rosetta Stone is clear "the resolution shall be written in sanct letters, in Greek and in local (regional) ones". By that regional nobody ment Macedonian!
Istor Macedonian, therefore Greek
Istor Macedonian, THESSALONIKI, GREECE
TODAYS GREEKS ARE DANAIANS FROM EGYPT, ITS SAID THAT THEY WERE BIGGEST TRIBE OF EGYPT. ROSETTA STONE REFERS TO THEM AS SUCH (DANIANS) NOT AS GREEKS.
Homer in the "Iliad" mentions Macedonian tribes, (Payonian, Pelazgian, Venets or Enets, Brygian , Phrygian) that fight on the side of the Trojans(Makedonians) against the allies of the new coming conquerors of the Balkans - Danaians(so called Greeks), i.e. in the "Iliad" is portrayed a happening that occurred in 1193 - 1183 B.C (Danai/ans came from ethiopia to europe via egypt=afrika (TODAYS GREEKS HAVE ETHIOPIAN DNA) greece/greeks= Danaians they were one of the biggest tribes in egypt,, so not a big suprise their writen on the rosetta stone down the bottom as the rulers of egypt were Makedonians not Danaians(so called Greeks), text writen in 3 languages one in pictures-(egyptian) second in Makedonian last down the bottom in Danaian no suprise at all !!!
British Museum (SHOULD KEEP THEM, WHY READ ON)
NICK, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
What example does the Bristish government set? Theft is good if it is in your best interest? Or are the British museaums supposed to show off the Greek artifacts instead of the British ones?
This is a matter directly related to ethics, democrasy, justice and all the principles that Europe is built upon. This is the opportunity for the British people to correct a great injustice.
With the new Acropolis museaum near completion, there are no more excuses left...
Alexandros Agelis, Athens, Greece
Lets face it. They were stolen from Greece, they are Greek and they should return to Greece. The British Museum looks to us as a little child holding on to it's favored blanket. Come on people, grow up. They don't belong to you. You should represent the British people in an honorable way not like this.
David Young, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
David Young, Portsmouth, USA
This issue means so much to the Greeks. The British Museum should at least talk to them. Many people think a branch of the British Museum in Athens would be a win-win solution: good for Greece, good for the British Museum.
Geoffrey White, Sandy, Bedfordshire