A Proposal for the Retention of Historically Removed Artifacts Currently Held in Western Museums

This paper explores the debate between claimant (source) nations and western museums over the ownership of antiquities taken out before the enactment of twentieth century national and international laws. Source nations are requesting the return of cultural material which they believe was taken by force while under colonial occupation while western museums justify retention by pointing out that they were obtained at a time when present laws did not apply.;Through an examination of the restitution debate and the function of universal museums, the paper argues that the decision to allocate an artifact ought to be based on the principles of protection, preservation and access rather than on nationalist principles. The paper will look at three Egyptian artifacts (the Rosetta Stone, the Zodiac Ceiling and the Bust of Nefertiti) and how these artifacts have created ties with modern Egyptian nationalist aspirations. The conclusion will recommend that better means of protection and access can be provided by Western museums and as a result, these artifacts ought to remain where they are, at least for the time being. An appendix detailing the Lydian Hoard's return to Turkey will illustrate the risk that is present when the means for the protection of valuable antiquities are not adequate.