Lecture Notes: Antiquities and Their Cultural Impact

Introduction

• Main topic: Antiquities and the cultural significance of relics from the past.
• Issue: What happens when these relics go missing?
• Example: Discrepancies in sculptures at the Acropolis Museum in Greece indicating missing pieces.

The Elgin Marbles

• Missing pieces from Greek sculptures displayed in the British Museum.
• Taken by Lord Elgin in the 19th century from the Parthenon.
• Greek demand for return; British Museum's patronizing responses.
• Argument: Marbles should be returned to Greece.
• 90% of Africa's cultural heritage is outside Africa.

Resistance to Repatriation

• Prime Minister David Cameron's refusal to return Koh-i-Noor diamond to India.
• Congolese activists' protest by removing artifacts.

Historical Context

• British Museum's 18th-century foundation linked to slavery and colonialism.
• Benin Bronzes: Looted from Nigeria in 1897 by British military.
• British refusal to return artifacts due to the British Museum Act of 1963.

Cultural and Historical Loss

• Benin Bronzes: Cultural memory loss due to looting.
• British Museum holds more bronzes than any other institution.

Common Arguments Against Repatriation

1. Historical Context: Legal norms of the past.
   • Counterpoint: Looting known to be wrong even in the past.
2. Safety Argument: Western institutions can better preserve artifacts.
   • Counterpoint: British Museum's poor preservation record.
3. Global Repository: Museums as global access points.
   • Counterpoint: Limited display capacity and access issues.

Modern Antiquities Market

• Antiquities' provenance is crucial for legality and authenticity.
• Sotheby’s involvement in selling stolen Cambodian art.
• Museums and individuals still partake in dubious antiquities deals.

Provenance Issues

• Sotheby’s and other dealers' negligence in verifying provenance.
• Trafficking of looted goods continues, financing harmful entities.

Case Studies

• Nepalese artifacts: Corruption and illegal export.
• Reuben Museum's questionable artifacts.
• Subhash Kapoor's trafficking: Major impact on museums like the Met.
• Met Gala incident with Kim Kardashian and stolen Egyptian sarcophagus.

Consequences and Ethical Considerations

• Illegal trafficking supports harmful actors.
• Cultural and personal significance of objects ignored.

Institutional Responses

• University of Aberdeen's initiative for artifact reassessment.
• Limited returns of artifacts, e.g., Ethiopia’s lock of hair.

Conclusions

• Museums need to reassess acquisition processes.
• Demand for a moral reckoning with colonial past and artifacts.
• Potential dialogues for loan agreements with rightful owners.
• Suggestion of a hypothetical "Payback Museum" as a satirical commentary on the situation.