British Museum considers repatriating contested artefacts

The British Museum might send back more disputed artifacts to their original countries after giving back treasures to Ghana. This was revealed yesterday. The museum can't permanently give away artifacts, but it can loan them to other countries. A recent deal returned Asante gold to Ghana. The British Museum Act of 1963 doesn't stop the museum from making loan agreements in the future. However, returning the Elgin Marbles to Greece is tricky because Greece doesn't accept the British Museum as the legal owner of the sculptures. Experts think that if national governments agree to loan deals, other cultural artifacts could be sent back to their home countries. The return of Asante gold to Ghana was the first time British institutions sent artifacts back to Africa. The treasures were given back to the Asante king after he accepted the British Museum's ownership of the golden royal regalia taken during wars in 1874 and 1896. The British Museum Act of 1963 doesn't allow permanent giveaways of artifacts, but loans are possible if the recipient agrees to the museum's ownership. The Greek government believes the Elgin Marbles were stolen and doesn't accept the museum's claim of ownership. The British Museum is looking for ways to work around legal constraints to return more contested artifacts. More British museums are considering returning looted artifacts to an African king following a recent loan deal. Talks have started with UK institutions, and any repatriated items will be housed in the Asante capital of Kumasi. The museum has agreed to return its collection of Benin Bronzes to Nigeria and is in discussions with other museums to potentially return more artifacts. The plans to reclaim items taken in the 19th century depend on each institution's decision.