Egypt demands return of "stolen" reliefs.

[Danustouch]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050717/ap_on_re_mi_ea/egypt_antiquities;_ylt=AgY1JQriatBiXC9XF812m9Gs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MzV0MTdmBHNlYwM3NTM- (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050717/ap_on_re_mi_ea/egypt_antiquities;_ylt=AgY1JQriatBiXC9XF812m9Gs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MzV0MTdmBHNlYwM3NTM-)

Should countries demand that their treasures be returned? The world of archaeology has often been a case of "finders keepers", should this change?

[Zibblsnrt]

Should countries demand that their treasures be returned? The world of archaeology has often been a case of "finders keepers", should this change?

For situations like that? Yes, it should.

It's not like the artifacts were taken centuries ago while Egypt was a European imperial holding; the archaeologists went in recently, defaced two tombs a sovereign country gave them permission to study, and then left the country with them. That's theft, full stop.

The Egyptian government's perfectly in the right to cut off the offending institutions if they refuse to return the reliefs.

[Danustouch]

For situations like that? Yes, it should.

It's not like the artifacts were taken centuries ago while Egypt was a European imperial holding; the archaeologists went in recently, defaced two tombs a sovereign country gave them permission to study, and then left the country with them. That's theft, full stop.

The Egyptian government's perfectly in the right to cut off the offending institutions if they refuse to return the reliefs.

In this case, I agree. However, the article did also say that Egypt is also trying to get back the treasures it lost DURING imperialism.

[Zibblsnrt]

In this case, I agree. However, the article did also say that Egypt is also trying to get back the treasures it lost DURING imperialism.

That's a stickier issue, of course. I'm inclined to think they have a right to many of those too, although it's in a "they should be returned" sense rather than a "they had better be returned" sense.

[Seren_]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050717/ap_on_re_mi_ea/egypt_antiquities;_ylt=AgY1JQriatBiXC9XF812m9Gs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MzV0MTdmBHNlYwM3NTM- (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050717/ap_on_re_mi_ea/egypt_antiquities;_ylt=AgY1JQriatBiXC9XF812m9Gs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MzV0MTdmBHNlYwM3NTM-)

Should countries demand that their treasures be returned? The world of archaeology has often been a case of "finders keepers", should this change?

Finders keepers? :T More like "nobody saw me, can't prove anything..." Museums around the country (Britain, that is) are full of Egyptian artefacts that have been "procured" by holiday makers and archaeologists alike, then donated to the authorities where they basically rot away in the archives. Granted, the showier pieces get put on display.

To my mind, removing the reliefs was tantamount to vandalism in the first place. But at the end of the day, it's not really about rightful ownership of the reliefs, or any other artefacts that have been stolen from sites. It's about money. Egyptian stuff attracts interest - and therefore visitors - to wherever it is. No wonder Britain is so reluctant to give it back.

[~Anamorata~]

Yes, they have every right to demand their History back...if someone took of with the Statue of Liberty, wouldn't you want it back?