British Museum in Talks With Four Governments Over Returning Artifacts

The British Museum chiefs are in talks with four undisclosed foreign governments regarding the return of certain artifacts in its collection. This is after George Osborne negotiated a deal to loan the Elgin Marbles back to Greece.

The British Museum is holding private discussions with four foreign governments about the return of artifacts in its collection, though the museum will not reveal what artifacts have been discussed.

This comes after reports of a”‘negotiated deal” between the museum’s chairman, George Osborne, and the Greek government last year which may see the Elgin Marbles loaned to Greece as part of an exchange.

Under UK law, the British Museum is not permitted to return any of its artifacts except under very unique circumstances. However, in recent years, items have been given back to their country of origin on so-called “long term loans.”

The Daily Telegraph reported it has seen documents showing that, since 2015, the museum has received twelve separate formal requests for items to be returned. Four of these have come from foreign governments using ‘confidential diplomatic channels’ rather than using the media’s spotlight such as was done by the Greek government.

Talks between the governments and the museum are ongoing, and the British Museum will not reveal what artifacts were spoken of. The museum said it would not share that information because it “would have a detrimental effect on its relationship with the states in question at a time when communications are ongoing,” as reported by the Daily Mail.

It did, however, confirm the Rosetta Stone, one of the most precious artifacts in the museum’s collection which was key in translating Egyptian hieroglyphs, was not among the four items privately requested for return.

Artifacts loaned by the British Museum or waiting to be loaned

In recent years, a number of artifacts have been returned to their country of origin on loan agreements, including an agreement reached in January this year to loan a collection of gold items, known as Ghana’s “crown jewels,” back to Ghana.

The agreement to loan back these items, known as Asante gold, forms part of a three-year loan deal with the option to extend for a further three years.

A similar deal is reportedly being worked out with Greece which may see the Elgin Marbles returned to the Mediterranean country as part of an exchange for other artifacts from Greece to “fill the void,” Greece’s Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.

The Elgin Marbles have been a source of tension between Greece and the UK for a long time. The marbles were moved from Athens between 1801 to 1812 by the Early of Elgin, who had plans to set up a private museum before they were sent to the British Museum.