Getty Museum Returns Greek Treasures
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Posted by Robin Fowler Aug 23, 2006 |
The J. Paul Getty Museum will be returning two Greek artifacts to Greece that it has housed in its galleries in the near future. One of the artifacts, a marble relief sculpture, was purchased by Getty in 1955, after having been stolen from Thassos, where archaeologists had excavated it. This is in an effort on the part of the Greek government to tighten the reins on museums that have procurred stolen antiquities through third party purchase.
Two other artifacts, a gold wreath from 400 B.C. and a marble statue from the 6th century B.C., are reportedly in negotiations for return to their rightful homeland as well.
On one hand, it seems that Greece (and other nations with ancient heritage) has every right to demand their antiquities back, especially if they were stolen from excavations or Greek museums. Greece, and other nations, are big on their cultural heritage, and justifiably so. However, if the antiquities are given proper showcase and credit, and displayed in safe and secure environments, what is the big deal? After all, won't they be more available to the public at large if they are housed in larger cities, reaching a wider audience and allowing for more people to learn to appreciate the ancient civilizations that have influenced modern culture so?