Should Western museum's return the stuff they stole all over the planet when they colonized everywhere? Should USA return Native American stuff?

Question

FUN FACT: Only 1% of the artifacts that the British museum holds are on display. This prevents the entire planet from engaging with world history. Do they have the right to deny us our planetary heritage?

There are a number of arguments AGAINST returning artifacts to their countries of origin, including:

Safety: The artifacts may not be safe in their new location.

Loss of artifacts: Museums would lose many of their artifacts, which could make them nearly empty.

Visitor numbers: Museums would lose their most prominent artifacts, which could hurt their ability to attract visitors.

Economic loss: Museums and private companies would lose financial opportunities.

Lack of facilities: The source country may not have the proper facilities or personnel to receive the artifacts.

Unclear destination: The ancient kingdoms from which the artifacts came may no longer exist, or they may be spread across multiple modern countries.

Colonialism: Returning artifacts obtained during colonialism does not make up for the destruction of colonialism.

Legal acquisition: Most objects in museums were legally obtained and have no reason to be repatriated.

There are a number of arguments FOR return to indigenous cultures:

Cultural objects, as part of cultural and political identity, belong with the civilizations that developed them.

Stolen or plundered property should be restored to its rightful owner because it is ethically correct.

The greatest way to appreciate and comprehend art is in its original context.

What do you think?

WindAtMyBack · Accepted Answer

I see both sides of this. It makes sense to return things to their original location and culture. And sometimes that happens.

On the other hand, what good is a museum or gallery if it only has local stuff? Recently I went to a local art museum - first time since I was a kid. It had stuff from all over the world which I could not have seen if it was only local. It's a relatively small museum, but they had a Monet for example - which kind of surprised me given the size of the museum. They had artwork from several ancient and modern civilizations from around the world. It's all done respectfully and gives the visitor a better insight.

Look at it from the perspective of the original culture. I think most cultures would WANT people from other parts of the world to see and understand their culture. History and geography books are fine, but seeing the artifacts in person at arm's length makes it more real and gives you a better appreciation.

Of course there are some cases when it was literally stolen. In that case it should be returned if it is requested.

MisterWack · Accepted Answer

Well the British Museum to do an example was justifying the treasures they stole as it would be safer with them than their original holders / the original holders wouldn’t appreciate it as much…..

1) Original holders had religious / cultural significant pieces that were stolen which would be used & put to their intended purposes if given back also taken proper care of since they know it best.

2) Museums actually lost artifacts & damaged them due to visitors not following rules, treasures accidentally breaking, or working staff breaking them by accident or fires breaking out and other issues….

I believe Native Americans should be given those items back and they could work with museums to actually explain the cultural significance / importance of the objects in ‘living exhibits’ where Native American ancestors tell the story of their people to the general public then once those exhibits close temporarily it goes back to the tribes.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Accepted Answer

Aren’t they required to? I remember hearing a story about how some native family went to this museum that had some native American stuff in it, and they knew exactly whose family this one quilt belonged to. After telling them to talk to the museum, they gave it back.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

Most of the stuff hidden away at the back is just things like broken pottery. It's there for research purposes and it's not hard to get access if you need it.

As for giving it back, unless it's got great significance to the country what's the point?

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Yes, return the stuff

Horsegirly2001 · Answer

I really think they should be greatful to the British museum and the smithsonian as most of what is on display was saved from destruction.

Take the Bimaran Casket which sits in the British Museum. Its a relic of when Afghanistan was a greek Buddhist kingdom in the 1st century.

What would the Taliban do with that? Where are all the Buddhist statues, monuments and temples in Afghanistan and Pakistan? What did they do with them?

Should the British Museum give it back to Afghanistan only for the Taliban to destroy it or sell it back to the British museum and a few decades later the British Museum would be accused of looting it again?

Anonymous · Answer

What no one says is that a lot of these artifacts were saved by the British or bought. Can you imagine how much history would be lost because the British museum didn't save it. For instance take Afghanistan, the taliban have destroyed all traces of Greek and Buddhist civilisation.

Kelly6 · Answer

@drpepper12  1; Give it back to the countries or 2: Give the ownership of the product to countries to whom it belong and pay them the royalty or the portion of profit it makes. And many countries will agree with second offer, because of more profit. mostly as zoo leases animals from other countries.

RavVid · Answer

I think it can be quite complicated and is probably best done on a case by case basis and taking most of the points given above.

Some indigenous stuff was never meant to be permanent. have a Sepik river ancestor mask that would not have survived in it's original location. At least some stuff only exists because t was collected. So hands off my ancestor mask.

Caroline91 · Answer

Given all of the variables, I think it makes most sense to assess it on a case by case basis.

Likes2drive · Answer

If it was stolen then yeah it should be returned but if if was obtained by discovery and legal then keep it in a museum so all can see , I’m sure every museum in the world has plenty to show and from other countries, if it’s returned then no one can get to see it or learn about it

Berethor · Answer

Muslims also stole lot of suff from christians and jews, will they return it first?

Twalli · Answer

There are benefits and drawbacks to each. The Elgin Marbles were probably removed illegally, so due to the lack of legal standing, they should probably be returned, bit most other things we're moved illegally and even if you disagree with the legality aspect, it was legal at the time. Also let's look at The Rosetta Stone. It is legally in The British Museum. Egypt claims it should be

menina · Answer

Yes, they should be returned. They shouldn't have been stolen in the first place. But of course, that will never happen...

blueonblack22 · Answer

Interestingly enough the main body of your question was very thoughtful despite the headline all being about “the USA (just the USA?” that “stole” artifacts.

lightbulb27 · Answer

yes because it's costing us tax $ to store it. get rid of that junk and make space for new junk. if anyone knows of a decent condition WWII tank, I'd like one...

ClassicDropout · Answer

If you want it that bad take it. That's how this shit works

Arizona8 · Answer

You are a teacher, and you spell "museums" as "museum's?" You don't know the difference between plural and possessive words?

seeyounexttuesday · Answer

lol, why would you qualify "western"? Is that because the middle east just destroys any artifact that isn't Muslim?

Anonymous · Answer

Why just western people, though? Like virtually every nation has stolen land or goods at one point or another. It's all or nothing. Everyone repays their bad deeds or no one does.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, I think they should return the stuff, all of the colonizers (UK, Spanish, Dutch etc).

Dongie · Answer

Other. WHY? Conquest happened.

NathanDavis · Answer

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Should Western museum's return the stuff they stole all over the planet when they colonized everywhere? Should USA return Native American stuff?

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Yes, return the stuff

Should Western museum's return the stuff they stole all over the planet when they colonized everywhere? Should USA return Native American stuff?

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Yes, return the stuff

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