Where will the Parthenon Marbles Go?

By Dea Sula

There has been a global trend of restitution and repatriation of cultural objects. Hundreds of items have been repatriated in 2023.^[1] Countries are passing laws to make the process more efficient, such as France, which has passed three laws in 2023 to increase the efficiency of restitution.^[2] Similarly, other countries are encouraging the return of their cultural objects, such as Poland, which has initiated 130 restitution claims,^[3] and Nigeria in its pursuit of the Benin Bronzes.^[4] Museum institutions are also taking part. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York launched a new initiative to go through its entire collection to identify any stolen objects.^[5]

In contrast, one institution that has been generally resistant to restitution is the British Museum. The Parthenon Marbles, which have been in the museum’s possession since 1816, is a case study of many of the legal issues and constraints that museums face regarding restitution, as well as the international issues that arise from cultural objects that were removed from their place of origin prior to the modern period.^[6]

Acquisition