Crisis: Artifacts Disappearing from Museums Worldwide
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Chapter 1: The Disappearance of Artifacts
In an unprecedented event in museum history, thousands of artifacts are vanishing from prominent museums in Europe and America. What is the fate of these items? Surprisingly, many of them are being returned to their countries of origin in the Global South, as well as to locations much closer to home.
The Rosetta Stone, housed in the British Museum for over two centuries, is a prime example. Discovered by French soldiers in the Nile Delta in 1799 during Napoleon Bonaparte's campaign, this artifact was ultimately claimed by the British after their victory.
What is the Rosetta Stone?
This unique stone stele features inscriptions in both Greek and Egyptian (in hieroglyphics and demotic script), with demotic representing a more simplified form of the language developed later in history. Dr. Zahi Hawass, an archaeologist and former head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, has long advocated for its return. In September 2023, a petition with 200,000 signatures called for the Rosetta Stone's repatriation, yet the British Museum remains unmoved, and it continues to reside in London.
A Broader Context: Colonial Looting
The Rosetta Stone is just one of countless examples. During the colonial era, European and American powers plundered thousands of invaluable artifacts from regions like the Middle East. While some acquisitions may have had a veneer of legality, the oppressive colonial governance makes it difficult to argue for justice or fairness. Consequently, museums in the USA, Canada, and Germany have started to return artifacts to Egypt, though these items are often lesser-known rather than iconic treasures.
Colonial Attitudes and Indigenous Communities
The colonial mindset did not only affect cultures labeled as "oriental." Indigenous populations in both the USA and Europe faced similar fates. In the 19th century, the Saami people of Scandinavia, the region's oldest inhabitants, became subjects of "scientific" expeditions by universities and national museums. Researchers often obtained local artifacts through unethical means, including the collection of human remains for dubious pseudoscientific purposes.
Chapter 2: The Struggle for Repatriation
The media frequently describe the repatriation of Egyptian artifacts as a "struggle" or "battle," highlighting that the process is far from straightforward. Many museums disregard repatriation requests altogether. However, the National Museum of Helsinki has agreed to return items to the Saami people, and similar initiatives are emerging in the USA for indigenous Indian communities.
The first video titled "Smithsonian To Review Ill-Gotten Artifacts Over Next 6 Months" discusses ongoing efforts by institutions to reassess their collections and potentially return artifacts to their rightful places.
The second video, "Museums around the world are returning artefacts to countries of origin | Inside Story," explores the global movement toward repatriation and the implications for cultural heritage.
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